Man who gave 'Hang On Sloopy' to Ohio State Marching Band dies

Columbus, Ohio (W.C.M.H.) – the man responsible for taking “Wait a minute, Sloopy.” Many other pieces of the Ohio State Marching Band have passed away.

Arranger, composer, and musician John J. Taggenhorst was 85 years old.

After graduating from Ohio State University with a degree in music, Taggenhorst was a member of the “Best Damn Band in the Land” band for over 40 years, including arranging “Hang On Sloopy” while still a student. (Taggenhorst was not a member of the band). . This performance is still popular at his OSU events, and the song became his official Rock His Song in 1985.

In the fall of 1965, Taggenhorst professor and band director Charles Spohn asked his students to arrange the song for the halftime show. Taggenhorst completed it in four hours, and the band first performed his arrangement on October 9, 1965, during halftime of a game against Illinois.

Taggenhorst moved to Chicago in 1982 and wrote music for various advertising agencies, corporations, and orchestras. In addition to the Ohio State University band, he has written for the Penn State Blue Band, Purdue All-American Marching Band, and the University of Washington Husky Band.

A frequent visitor to Los Angeles, Taggenhorst collaborated with Academy Award-winning composer John Williams to write the musical cues for the animated film The Adventures of Batman and Robin. He also worked with musicians Nancy Wilson, Ray Charles, Cece Winans, Steven Tyler, and film director John Hughes.

Taggenhorst suffered from poor health in his later years, and eventually settled in his wife Lisa's hometown of Berlin, Wisconsin, where he spent his later years listening to music, watching movies, and relaxing.

Taggenhorst was born on August 22, 1938 in East Liverpool, Ohio. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Lisa (Spohr) Taggenhorst, his children Laura Taggenhorst, Margo Taggenhorst Drakos, and Michelle Weaver Kuechs; . his sister Judy Tice; and many grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

A scholarship fund for music students will be established in his honor.

The family is holding a private service Thursday. To share your condolences online, click here, I send a mailor write to Lisa Tatgenhorst, PO Box 24, Berlin, WI 54923.

https://www.wtrf.com/ohio/man-who-gave-hang-on-sloopy-to-ohio-state-marching-band-dies/ Man who gave 'Hang On Sloopy' to Ohio State Marching Band dies