This Mummer is about to hang up his feathers

In the world of mummery, there isn't anyone like Bob Shannon Jr.

He's captain of the Quaker City String Band in South Philadelphia. It's not just a job for him; it's a legacy.

In 77 years, the band has had just two captains: Ray Endriss and Shannon. Endriss held the post from 1931 to 1971, and Shannon has carried on since.

Tuesday, however, Shannon, 59 and a towering 6-foot-10, will end his 37-year reign.

His march up Broad Street will be his last as Quaker City's captain. He said he plans to still help his club, but his days of strutting and dancing will come to a close with this year's Hawaiian-theme routine.

"Whatever you write, it has to be upbeat," Shannon emphatically instructed even before sitting down for an interview Monday.

He said his wife, Susan Ryan-Shannon, and three daughters and son will be there for him when he steps off. But don't expect him to cry.

At least, not publicly.

"I don't want to be sad," Shannon said. "I'll do enough of my own crying."

Men like Shannon who have created long-standing dynasties as string band captains are rare today. Veterans include Bill Bowen Jr. of the Fralinger String Band (26 years); Ted Kudrick of Duffy (23); and Scott Moyer of Greater Kensington (17).

But the captains of string bands these days are more typically only in the job for a few years at a time.

Fralinger's Bowen said the job is more demanding today. Although responsibilities vary from club to club, the captain is the focal point of every performance. He's the one in the middle, with the biggest costume and the most plumage, the kingpin who holds the band together on and off the street.

Bowen said that string bands today are under more pressure to stage 41/2-minute "mini-Broadway shows" to draw television audiences. Costumes, too, have become more elaborate and heavier, and dance routines more intricate, he said.

"It's very taxing," said Bowen, 53. "Basically, nobody wants this job."

At the clubhouse for Quaker City at Third and McKean Streets, members were in countdown mode Monday. In the locker room on the third floor, men put finishing touches on shoes and headpieces.

Shannon sat in front of his big wooden locker inscribed with "Captain." Inside hung a giant cape with gold sequins, fake jewels, and orange, yellow and red feathers. On a high shelf sat two headdresses on wig stands, one that would look right for Hawaii's King Kamehameha.

When friends see him, they often call out just "Captain!"

Shannon said he had thought about stepping down before, but his father, the late Bob Shannon Sr., who played the saxophone for 69 years for Quaker City, wouldn't let him.

Then, over six months in 2006, his mother and father died, and Shannon suffered a stroke while performing in Gettysburg, Pa.

"Basically, I'm living on borrowed time," said Shannon, a supervisor at the Philadelphia Naval Business Center who lives in Turnersville. "Doing a job like this takes a lot out of you."

Most parade viewers don't realize is just how heavy the costumes are, particularly for captains. One year, Shannon was dressed up like a totem pole in a costume that weighed 280 pounds. He marched up Broad carrying that piece on his back.

"Heavy, heavy, heavy!" Shannon said of the memory.

For his first parade, Shannon was 11 years old and played the saxophone. When Ray Endriss, now deceased, retired, he was elected to replace him at age 23.

Shannon is part of a committee that decides on each year's theme, including music, costumes and props. This year, Quaker City will spend $130,000 to mount its New Year's show, with about $83,000 for costumes alone. One of the more expensive headdresses is decorated with six brown feathers that cost $250.

Michael Brown, who is in charge of the costume committee, said the club likes to play up the stature of their captain, who played basketball in high school. His back piece is sometimes more than 10 feet high.

"It makes for such a grand focal point," Brown said. Of Shannon, he added, "We have one of the greatest showpieces in front."

Shannon has been named best captain seven times. He acknowledged that it would be sweet to go out with number eight.

"You know what I'm going to miss most?" he asked. "Being known as the captain of Quaker City."

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