U-Matic

Piston Parade #2 1990
6-18-90

U-Matic S tape containing footage from the post-parade rally in Hart Plaza's amphitheater for the Detroit Pistons on June 18, 1990, following their 1990 National Basketball Association's World Championship victory. The video is continued from 2015.008.228. A smudge on the lens that appeared in the prior video remains through much of this one.

The tape begins with the camera at the bottom of the amphitheater pointed at the stage set up above. "Bad Boys! You Can't Touch This" is printed along the base of the stage. The camera then rotates around to pan across the crowd, who chant "Bad Boys!" As members of the team and other figures take their places on stage, Mayor Coleman A. Young can be seen talking to Isaiah Thomas.

WJLB radio personality John Mason, clad in a "Hammer Time" t-shirt, then addresses the crowd to introduce Pistons announcer George Blaha. Blaha then introduces the team: David "Hammer Time" Greenwood, Gerald Henderson, William Bedford, Mark Aguirre, John "Spider" Salley, Vinnie "the Microwave" Johnson, Scott Hastings, James "Buddha" Edwards, Bill Laimbeer, Dennis "The Worm" Rodman (with his daughter Alexis), Joe Dumars, and Isaiah Thomas.

General Manager Jack McCloskey then takes to the microphone and speaks briefly of togetherness. As he finishes the crowd begins chanting for Coach Chuck Daly.

Instead, the team's scout, Will Robinson is called to the microphone next. Robinson speaks briefly and mentions being in "Coleman Young's town."

Blaha calls up Coach Daly next, who speaks briefly while wearing sunglasses and a medallion.

Next, Vinnie Johnson is called up to the microphone, where he dedicates his championship-winning shot to Detroit.

Next, Isiah Thomas speaks, and he acknowledges seeing fans holding up three fingers for the "three-peat" during the parade.

Then, Mayor Coleman Young comes to the microphone with an overs-sized hammer. Both cheers and derisive shouts can be heard from he crowd. He gives the hammer to Thomas, and presents the team with plaques bearing a relief of a hammer.

Thomas then returns to the microphone where he mentions recent "adverse times" and pledges that he'll never do anything to let the city down, presumably in reference to recent allegations of his involvement in a gambling ring. His statement is met with a standing ovation from the rest of the team on stage.

Mason and Blaha then return to the microphones, where they lead the countdown for a balloon release. Afterward, the camera zooms in on a child holding a "We Believe You Isiah" sign.

As the event ends, the team members interact on stage. MC Hammer's "U Can't Touch This" is played over the loudspeaker. On stage John Salley dances with the giant hammer. The camera also captures members of the crowd dancing along to the song. Eventually the camera returns to the stage where Isiah Thomas dances in the style of M.C. Hammer. The camera continues to pan around the amphitheater as people continue to dance. The recording ends shortly after the song is cut short.

The recording is on a 3M UCA 30S U-Matic S tape with a handwritten 3M label on its top, marked "Piston Parade #2 1990, 6-18-90." The tape is housed within a black plastic latching case with a matching label on its cover.