The Fan Van Crew

Bandleader, KC icon Tony DiPardo dies at 98

2011-01-27T12:26:00.000-06:00

By ROBERT TRUSSELL

The Kansas City Star

Bandleader Tony DiPardo, a boisterous showman who for almost 45 years was the most visible Kansas City Chiefs booster in town, died this morning. He was 98.

DiPardo, was a trumpeter and swing-era veteran who became a successful conductor of hotel and society bands here beginning in the 1940s. He later formed a booking agency through which he hired musicians — many of them skilled jazz players — for a wide variety of engagements and fielded numerous bands simultaneously under the DiPardo name.

The man who often called himself “Mr. Music of Kansas City” was known as a tireless promoter and a shrewd businessman who built a reputation as one of the city’s most ubiquitous bandleaders.

But DiPardo always considered his 20-year run as the Chiefs music director as a special chapter in his career.

“It was great,” he said once. “It was one of the highlights of my life in music, was being the bandleader for the Chiefs for 20 years. And I miss it.”

Indeed, DiPardo was so dedicated to the Chiefs that he was virtually a member of the team. He proudly wore a Super Bowl ring from the team’s only World Championship in 1970.

DiPardo began providing live music for Chiefs games in 1963, when the team played at old Municipal Stadium and games were not well attended. He became a visual symbol at home games, often donning a war bonnet and riding Warpath, the Chiefs’ mascot, around the stadium.

“Sometimes he could be too much of a fan,” said former Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson. “I remember being in the huddle and I was trying to call a play and he’d start up that ‘Charge!’ cheer with his trumpet. I used to tell Hank Stram, ‘Hey, can you get Tony to do that charge thing when the other team’s in the huddle?’ Do it when John Hadl’s trying to call a play.”

DiPardo stepped aside in 1983, when the organization decided to take the music in a different direction. But the team brought DiPardo back in 1989, the year his daughter, Patti DiPardo, became the band director.

DiPardo grew up in an Italian-American neighborhood in St. Louis, where he began cornet lessons when he was 9. His professional career began when he was 14 or 15 in St. Louis nightclubs.

Super Bowl XLV

2011-01-27T08:51:00.000-06:00

Super Bowl XLV

Pre Game Tailgating caught by KCStar.com

2011-01-10T10:58:00.000-06:00

Click here to see all the KC Chiefs Tailgating pictures

Go Chiefs!

2011-01-09T14:56:00.001-06:00

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Slide Show Photo's of the bus

2011-01-08T11:24:00.002-06:00

Click here for a slide show of the Fan Van

Baltimore Ravens at Arrowhead Sunday 12:00pm

2011-01-06T21:42:00.000-06:00

Go Chiefs!!

Chiefs did not show up today. Played very flat.

2011-01-02T15:08:00.001-06:00

Tailgate was better than the game thanks to wholesalepatiostore.com. thanks again guys.

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Good Tailgate Today. With Wholesale Patio Store

2011-01-02T09:46:00.003-06:00

Everything you need to Tailgate at the Chiefs Game
BBQ Grills, Patio Furniture, Smokers, Patio Heaters
http://www.wholesalepatiostore.com/
Coming soon to Kansas City

Big group today. Back of lot G

2011-01-02T09:46:00.001-06:00

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2010 AFC West Division Champions!!

2010-12-27T08:14:00.000-06:00

Sunshine equals warmth.

2010-12-26T16:06:00.001-06:00

Is it cold or what?

2010-12-26T13:26:00.001-06:00

Sent from Sprint Evo 4G

We will have an RV for the Chiefs game this week

2010-12-24T15:02:00.002-06:00

It's a Christmas miracle!

Christmas Eve in Kansas City!

2010-12-24T12:55:00.001-06:00

Bad news ! Fanvan will not make the game this weekend. More details to come.

2010-12-23T19:04:00.001-06:00

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Chiefs take down Rams 27-13!

2010-12-20T08:57:00.000-06:00

The Chiefs take down the Rams and Cassel is back at the helm just in time for the final two "must win" games for the Chiefs to clinch the AFC West title.

4 Troops

2010-12-14T20:31:00.001-06:00

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Wow! Way to Go Jacksonville!

2010-12-12T15:13:00.000-06:00

Oakland loses to Jacksonville today! That will help us -
Go Chiefs!

Matt Cassel has appendectomy, hopes to play Sunday

2010-12-08T17:17:00.000-06:00

Wow! Let's hope he can recover quickly and still get out there and beat up on the Chargers!
ESPN News!

Chiefs win!

2010-12-05T15:11:00.001-06:00

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Denver Bronco's Game

2010-12-04T16:04:00.000-06:00

For the game tomorrow we will try to park in the same place as the last game. We will be in the back of lot 'G', on the grass, and in the RV again. Look for the Fan Van Crew Flag. Departure from Dipoto's usual time - between 7:15 and 7:30 if all goes well. If a couple of folks can come by early to help pack the RV that would be good.
Go Chiefs!!

Meal plan for tomorrows game

2010-12-04T14:55:00.001-06:00

Hamburgers, wings, tots, rings, chips. Still have hy-vee $$ for the next game.

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Tailgate Kansas City

2010-12-04T14:14:00.001-06:00

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FANtastic Vehicles Part 2

2010-11-26T12:19:00.000-06:00

FanVanCrew Makes the KC Chiefs Inside show - Sunday 11/28/2010 9:30am

Click the photo to go to the KC Chiefs Website to watch the video -

FanVan starts at 2:00 min in to the video

Which one of these is not like the others?

2010-11-21T12:12:00.001-06:00

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