Portage County Historical Society

Eldon "Buster" Bailey

Elden (Buster) Bailey, percussionist with the New York Philharmonic for some 40 years, and a very dear friend of ours. We keep in touch with his wife, Barbara, and see her every winter when she comes to Sarasota for a couple months each year. She was a percussionist with the Teaneck New Jersey Symphony for many years. She and Buster actually met a Julliard in NY. Barbara is still an active musician, traveling many times thru the year to play percussion instruments in various orchestras (like "Windjammers", a group dedicated to the preservation of Circus Music)."

Buster took many photos of the Engford Family performances. He filmed Frank and Ruthie's helicopter act a few days before their wedding. He also filmed "The Engfords" performing at Circus World Museum in 1964 as well as Ruthie's "Estreleta" trapeze act. He also photographed Robert's acknowledgement for his contributions to motorized circuses.