In January 1964, James and Patsy Hejl (LHB 1958-1961) were approached by Jane and Vince DiNino to start an alumni band similar to the alumni band at The University of Minnesota. After some discussion, James and Patsy got to work making lists of LHB members using their copies of the Cactus Yearbook and the Austin phone book, placing names on 3×5 index cards on their kitchen table. It did not take long to realize they needed help, so three other former Longhorn Band couples were recruited. They quickly had a list of 500 names of former Longhorn Band members who became the first to call themselves the Blast from the Past. Their first reunion back in Austin to celebrate their LHB family bond was in 1964 with 67 members attending.
We salute these founding members of the Longhorn Alumni Band:
- Vincent & Jane DiNino
- Richard & Betty Ruth Dove
- Malcolm & Rebecca Fox
- James & Patsy Hejl
- Max & Pat Loughmiller
