Outside of the football club itself, there is likely no one person more than Dal Murray Richards to have entertained so many Lions’ fans both on the field and off. As the club’s band leader from the first season in 1954, he led pre-game and half-time shows at Empire Stadium and B.C. Place Stadium that attracted fans of his own. Born in Vancouver, the “King of Swing” played in front of audiences with his “swing” band and also spent a career in hotel management. His most famous song has long been the Lions’ theme, “Roar You Lions Roar” and that may still be heard at every home game. He has been honoured many times and on February 3, 1984 Mayor Mike Harcourt declared “Dal Richards Day” in Vancouver. In 1994, Dal received the Order of Canada, in 2003 the Order of British Columbia, and in 2005 was enshrined on the BC Lions Wall of Fame. Dal passed away on December 31, 2015, just five days shy of his 98th birthday.
