UPDATE: The public visitation for longtime Kansas City Chiefs bandleader Tony DiPardo is scheduled for Tuesday, February 1, from noon to 9 p.m. in the Chicago Ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Hotel (2345 McGee in Kansas City, Mo.).
Original Story (January 27): Longtime Kansas City Chiefs bandleader Tony DiPardo has died, his family told Fox 4.
"Our grandpa passed away this morning at St. Luke's," DiPardo's family said in a statement posted by Fox 4.
"It was very peaceful, surrounded by family and friends. He was a wonderful man, a great grandfather, great husband, great father and he will be missed by all."
The Kansas City Chiefs are saddened by the passing of longtime Chiefs icon and music extraordinaire Tony DiPardo."Mr. Music" himself, DiPardo and the TD Pack Band played live music at every Chiefs home game for more than 40 seasons beginning with the team's arrival in Kansas City in '63. Chiefs Founder Lamar Hunt called on DiPardo to lead the club's in-game pep band with the sound of his trumpet. The band had an immediate effect on the gameday pageantry and fan experience at Municipal Stadium that carried over to Arrowhead in '72.
"Like all Chiefs fans, our thoughts and prayers are with Doddie, Patti, Tony Jr., Jimmy and the entire DiPardo family at this difficult time," Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt said. "Tony's passion, commitment and dedication to the Chiefs brought joy and excitement to every fan that heard his music at Arrowhead Stadium. He is a treasured part of Chiefs history, and he will be dearly missed."
The trumpet-toting band leader had such a profound impact on the Chiefs franchise that Head Coach Hank Stram personally made sure DiPardo received a championship ring following the Chiefs victory in Super Bowl IV. DiPardo's daughter, Patti DiPardo-Livergood, joined her father in leading the TD Pack Band for 20 seasons and performed the National Anthem at Arrowhead more than 40 times. She is currently part of the Chiefs staff working on gameday production.
