The band and its new director also clicked over his arrangement of " The Star-Spangled Banner " , which featured the striking effect of a single trumpet playing the first half of the song , joined later by soft woodwinds and tuba , and finally bringing the full power of the brass only in the final verse . When it was played at the " Big Game " against California , just eight days after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy , Barnes said , " I 've never heard such a loud silence . " Empowered , the student-led band threw away the traditional marching music and military-style uniforms , eventually settling for a mostly rock and roll repertoire and a simplified uniform consisting of a white fishing hat with red trim ( and as many buttons as will fit ) , red blazer , black pants , and " the ugliest tie you can get your hands on . " In the springtime and at non-athletic events , band members appear at performances ( and sometimes even at rehearsals ) wearing " rally " attire , which can range from swim suits to Halloween costumes to furniture and pets , always displaying their freedom from the usual rules of fashion . Its Badonkadonk Land Cruiser , resembling a vehicle from the Star Wars movie '' Return of the Jedi '' ) , is used as a band support vehicle
assassination
Assassination of John F. Kennedy
Stanford Band