Steven Don Vickers

April 30, 1949 – September 24, 2026

Steven Don “Steve” Vickers, longtime publisher of Drum Corps World, died peacefully at his home in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, on September 24, 2026, surrounded by family and friends. He was 77.

Steven D VickersSteve was born on April 30, 1949, in Hutchinson, Kansas, to Don and Norma Vickers. His lifelong love of drum and bugle corps began in 1961, when he joined the Hutchinson Sky Ryders. He marched and competed with the corps through 1969, graduating from Hutchinson High School in 1967. He went on to earn a degree in journalism from the University of Kansas.

In the early 1970s, Steve was hired by Don Whitely, owner of Drum Corps World, who later sold the publication to him. Steve moved to Madison, Wisconsin, soon after, serving as editor from 1973 and as owner and publisher from 1974. Under his leadership, the magazine became the activity’s primary news source. He believed every corps was important and worthy of recognition, and he made sure every show, large or small, was covered. If no one was scheduled to report on a show, he was known to call around until he found someone who would.

Upon his induction into the Drum Corps International Hall of Fame in 2007, DCI wrote: “Steve devoted his entire life to the drum and bugle corps activity. He has been a marching member, journalist, publisher, editor, board of directors’ president, show promoter, public relations director, philanthropist, historian and advocate.” He had been inducted into the World Drum Corps Hall of Fame in 1994.

Steve gave generously of his time to the organizations he loved. He served for many years on the boards of the Madison Scouts and the Marching Pageantry Arts Museum, among others, and more recently on the Sky Ryders board that helped his home corps return after 30 years of inactivity.

Drum Corps World moved from print to online in 2011, as so many publications did in the digital era. Through every challenge facing the publishing industry, Steve’s focus never wavered: to keep the magazine current and thriving for the drum corps community. It thrives today because of the relationships he built with writers, photographers, and leaders across the marching arts. The magazine is known for its positive perspective, celebrating the productions, the performers, and the organizations, along with the joy the activity brings to fans and its lasting influence on all who march. That outlook was--and is--a reflection of Steve himself: warm, kind, and positive about life.

Steve is survived by his sister, Susan (WR) Allam of Hutchinson, Kansas; nephew Court Allam (Angie) of Olathe, Kansas; niece Lindsay Powell (Josh) of Hutchinson; great-niece Alissa Powell; and great-nephews Landyn Powell and Brady and Cooper Allam. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Steve’s passing is a profound loss to the drum corps community. (visit Remembering Steve) His final wish was for Drum Corps World to continue and thrive, and that wish is already being fulfilled. A celebration of Steve’s life is planned for spring 2027, when friends and admirers from across the activity and around the world can best attend. Details will follow in a future issue of Drum Corps World.