Musical legacy lives on in every cheer

You may not have known his name, but you’ve definitely heard his work. Whether at Lambeau Field or in a sports bar halfway across the globe, the world cheers to a short riff composed decades ago by a Green Bay local.

You’ll know it as …. dun dun dah, di, dun dun dah…“Go Pack Go…”

The man behind that iconic rally cry, beloved composer and influential UW–Green Bay music professor Lovell Ives, has passed away at the age of 97.

A Legacy in Jazz and Brass

Ives wasn’t just a composer; he was a pioneer of music education in Wisconsin. His resume reads like a history of the region’s musical evolution:

• Jazz Pioneer: He was one of the first jazz educators in the state and founded the prestigious jazz program at UWGB.
• The Packers Band: In the 60s, he served as a trumpet player for the Green Bay Packers Band, eventually stepping up to direct the ensemble for 15 years.
• Community Icon: For 30 years, his Lovell Ives Orchestra was the heartbeat of the Channel 2 CP Telethon broadcast.

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One Short Ditty, Infinite Impact

While his professional accolades are endless, Ives’ most enduring contribution to culture is the three-word chant that defines a franchise. It is a simple composition that has transcended the walls of a stadium to become a global anthem for fans of the Green Bay Packers.

But for all the well-deserved musical honors Ives earned over the years, it’s that one short diddy for which he will always be remembered.

Bravo, Lovell Ives. Your legacy lives on.