THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JULY 9, 2021 Page 3 ~ THE ADVOCATE ASKS ~ Tony Barrie – the renowned leader of the Tony Barrie Band – still making music as he turns 100 today Editor’s Note: For this week’s interview, we sat down with Tony Barrie, the legendary leader of the Tony Barrie Band – which has been performing in numerous parades throughout Greater Boston since 1949 and is considered the longest running independent band in the region. Barrie, who was born Anthony Bicchieri, is celebrating his 100th birthday today (Friday, July 9). The Boston native has lived in Saugus since 1949. He was an ensign in the U.S. Navy and received his Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering in 1943 from Tufts University. He went on to work for 44 years as an engineer at GE in Lynn, where he taught quality control and was a supervisor. But he had another, more fun job in music, as the leader of a dance band and a marching band. He and his wife, Ann (Matrona) Bicchieri, have been married for 72 years and have three children, seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Ann, a member of the Saugus High Class of 1944, is the daughter of the late Arthur Matrona, a concert clarinetist. Tony and Ann live in the same house on Bristow Street that she grew up in and has lived in all her life. She plays the piano. Tony sang at St. Margaret’s Church in Cliftondale for 20 years. Although it’s been years since Tony marched with his band or performed with the dance band, he sings whenever he gets the chance – at local nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Some highlights of this week’s interview follow. Q: So, please tell me about the love of your life and how you met your wife, Ann. A: At the Totem Pole Ballroom – that’s where I got the surprise of my life. In ’47, I was on top of the world: no ties, no responsibilities. I had my orchestra. I was a chemical engineer at GE. It was a beautiful life. I was 26 years old. I played my violin, saxophone and clarinet. I was having the time of my life. Here’s the shocker: I’m singing there in the Totem Pole Ballroom one night; suddenly, I focused on one girl; that was unlike me. I never bothered with girls. There she was, dancing with a date, having a wonderful time. I lost her A MUSIC ICON IN SAUGUS: Tony Barrie, the long-time leader of the Tony Barrie Band, during a recent interview at his Bristow Street home. Today (Friday, July 9) he celebrates his 100th birthday. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) in the crowd, but when I got home, I couldn’t get her out of my mind – a girl – and I never bothered with girls before. A few weeks later at the parking lot of GE, I was introduced to a girl. It was this girl who worked in GE in the building that was joined to my building. She worked in the payroll department. And there started a courtship that lasted for two years. We continued the courtship, and the gentlemanly thing to do was to tell her I care about her, so I resorted to music. I chose a song that expressed my view as well as I could. There we were at the back stairs of her home in the wee hours of the morning, and I said, “Ann, I have something to say,” and I started singing. I was holding her hand and I was singing, “I am falling more in love with you. And day by day, my love continues to grow.” And I gave her a little kiss on the cheek and off I went to get my bus to get back to Medford. We’ve been married 72 years. We’ve known each other for 74 years. Two years later, in 1949, we had a different song right here in St. Margaret’s Church. When we got through with that ceremony, I was on Cloud 9, never realizing the treasure I just inherited. And I do mean inherited. Q: And the wedding? A: I have lived in Saugus since 1949 – when I got married – right here in this house. My father-in-law, Arthur Matrona, was a concert clarinetist. We lived on the second floor and her parents lived on the ground floor. Q: So, it sounds like you have led a very busy and interesting life. A: Here’s the kicker: With all this notoriety and success, I forget one, very, very important thing – my wife. I started to realize that it was because of her. She was always by my side. How much could I tell her how much I love her? Music – another song I sing to this day – time after time, I tell ASKS | SEE PAGE 8
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