SoloEuphonium.co.uk - Site of Rory Cartmell

The Virtuosi GUS Band

In January, 1933, Mr. Fred Felton called a newspaper reporter to his factory to tell him: "We are going to form a band and we are going to aim high." Two years later the Munn And Felton Works Band were champions of Great Britain - and a brass band legend was born that has lived on for over 70 years. When Mr. Felton spoke to that reporter from his local paper, he could hardly have known what success the next half century would bring. But he started a musical tradition which has been continued by one of the most famous names in the brass band world - GUS.

Under the names of Munn and Felton, G.U.S. (Footwear), Rigid Containers Group, Travelsphere Holidays Band and now the GUS Band, the sound that once originated from Kettering has rung throughout Britain, Europe and America in concert halls, on television, radio and in the recording studio. Thousands have applauded the band in concert, and the Midlanders have dented the Northern pride of Yorkshire and Lancashire, traditionally the home of brass bands, by winning six national titles, the British Open Championship twice and being proclaimed World Champions in 1971.