John D. Burgess facts for kids

John Davie Burgess (born March 11, 1934 – died June 29, 2005) was a very famous Scottish bagpipe player. He was known as one of the best players of the Great Highland Bagpipe. He was even awarded an MBE for his amazing contributions to piping.

Life of a Piping Legend

Early Start in Music

John Davie Burgess was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, on March 11, 1934. He started learning to play the bagpipes very early! At just four years old, his dad, who was also a piper, taught him on a practice chanter. This is a smaller instrument used to learn the finger movements for the bagpipes.

Later, his family moved to Edinburgh. John went to Edinburgh Academy for school. He was also taught by a very important teacher named Pipe major Willie Ross. Willie Ross taught at the Army School of Bagpipe Music and Highland Drumming at Edinburgh Castle. John chose not to play in his school band. He worried it might affect his special piping technique.

Becoming a Champion Piper

In 1950, when John was only 16, he achieved something incredible. He became the youngest person ever to win the gold medals for piobaireachd at two big competitions. These were the Argyllshire Gathering in Oban and the Northern Meeting in Inverness. Piobaireachd is a special, classical style of bagpipe music.

At first, John thought he would just play bagpipes as a hobby. He planned to work with horses. But in 1952, he went on a tour to Canada and the United States with Willie Ross. This trip changed his mind.

Joining the Army and Police

A military leader at Edinburgh Castle convinced John to join the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders. He served as a piper in this army regiment for three years. He reached the rank of corporal. His teacher, Willie Ross, actually wanted him to join a different regiment, the Scots Guards.

After his time in the army, John joined the Edinburgh City Police. In 1957, he became the pipe major of their band. A pipe major is the leader of a pipe band.

Between 1962 and 1965, he led another band, the 4th/5th Battalion Cameron Highlanders TA Pipe Band. Then, in 1966, he moved to Invergordon. There, he played with the Invergordon Distillery Pipe Band for two years until it stopped playing in 1967.

Later Life and Legacy

Around 1979, John Davie Burgess stopped competing in piping contests. He then became a teacher and a judge for piping competitions. He taught in schools around Easter Ross.

In 1988, he was given an MBE award. This award recognized his great service and contributions to bagpipe music.

John Davie Burgess passed away on June 29, 2005. He left behind his wife, Sheila, and their two children, John and Margaret. His legacy as one of the greatest bagpipe players lives on.

Musical Recordings

John D. Burgess made several recordings of his amazing bagpipe music. These recordings let people listen to his talent for years to come.

• King of Highland Pipers
• Art of the Bagpipe
• Ceol Mor agus Ceol Beag
• Art of the Highland Bagpipe Vol. 1
• Art of the Highland Bagpipe Vol. 2
• Art of the Highland Bagpipe Vol. 3
• King of the Highland Pipers
• Piping Centre 1996 Vol. 2
• Piping at the Edinburgh Academy
• John D. - A One Off

One of his tracks, The Wandering Piper, was even included in a special album. This album was called Three Score and Ten and was released by Topic Records for their 70th anniversary.