Helmecke, August, Jr., “Gus”
(1872–1954)
HELMECKE, AUGUST, JR., “GUS” (ca. 1872, New York, New York; 26 Feb 1954, Long Island, New York). Bass drummer for John Philip Sousa (ca. 1912-32), Gus Helmecke launched his career with the Innes Band at the Chicago World’s Fair and World’s Columbian Exposition in 1893; he was reportedly the highest-paid bass drummer in the world by 1925. Retired at 82, he played bass drum in Dr. Edwin Franko Goldman’s concert band for some 37 years, appearing with the Metropolitan Opera and the New York…