Brass bands

Evangelists, hooligans and bodyguards

Salvation Army evangelists in Salisbury had been having trouble with local hooligans, so Fry and his sons had offered to act as bodyguards while the Salvationists sang in the marketplace.

As an afterthought, the Frys had brought their instruments to accompany the singing. In this unexpected way, the first Salvation Army band was born. Their immediate success led the Fry family to sell their business and become full-time musicians with The Salvation Army.

Over the next few years, brass bands sprang up all over the country. They became a way to introduce people to the message of Jesus and his love for all people.