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Regular Session, 2014 ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 118
BY SENATOR DORSEY-COLOMB
A RESOLUTION
To express the sincere condolences of the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the
death of Dr. Isaac "Doc" Greggs, long-time band director at Southern University in
Baton Rouge.
WHEREAS, the great trumpet sounded on April 28, 2014, calling home the often
imitated but never duplicated Dr. Isaac "Doc" Greggs, band director at Southern University
in Baton Rouge for thirty-seven years; and
WHEREAS, Isaac Greggs was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, on January 2, 1929,
the youngest of three children to Sarah and Isaac Greggs; and
WHEREAS, he graduated from Central Colored High School in Shreveport and, at
fifteen, enrolled in Southern University A & M College in Baton Rouge where he received
a B.S. degree in Music Education; and
WHEREAS, Issac Greggs also received an M.S. degree in Music Education from
Vander Cook College in Chicago, Illinois, and in later years, received a Doctorate Degree
in Music from the University of Peru; and
WHEREAS, he served in the United States Army where he played in the army band
dedicated to morning reveille; and
WHEREAS, Doc Greggs created the Marching Band From Jaguarland at Southern
University and was chief composer of the unique flair and flavor exhibited by his musicians
as they took on the moniker that best described them: The Human Jukebox; and
WHEREAS, Southern University's marching bands played at six Super Bowls, four
Sugar Bowls, and three presidential inaugurations with Doc Greggs as director; and
WHEREAS, the influence of Doc Greggs extended beyond the band room and
performance venues of the musicians who played for him; a significant number of his
students have become band directors and musicians of note around the country, and the SR NO. 118 ENROLLED
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principles of dedication and commitment he instilled in his students shaped many of them
into leaders in careers outside of music; and
WHEREAS, he was a charter member of Delta Upsilon Lambda and was a sixty-
eight year Life Member of Beta Iota Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity,
Incorporated; and
WHEREAS, the musical genius of Dr. Isaac "Doc" Greggs was formally recognized
in 2013, when he was inducted into the Louisiana Black History Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, the music building on the Baton Rouge campus of Southern University,
formerly known as Dubose Music Hall, recently was renamed the Isaac Greggs Band Hall
in his honor; and
WHEREAS, he was preceded in death by his parents Sarah and Isaac Greggs, brother
Edmond, and sister Ellen Greggs; and
WHEREAS, Doc Greggs is survived by his loving wife of fifty-eight years, Rose
Audrey Metoyer Greggs; devoted children: Audree Greggs Vaughn (Percy), Colette Greggs,
Dedrick Jon Greggs (Carla), and Mark Eric Greggs (Tricia); grandchildren: Kirsten Vaughn
Watson (Benjamin), Kory Greggs Vaughn MD, Jamal Greggs Russell, Kyle Greggs Russell,
Daniel Isaac Greggs and Casey Danielle Greggs; great-grandchildren: Grace Makayla
Watson, Naomi Love Watson, Isaiah Benjamin Watson and Judah Seth Watson: and a host
of other relatives, family and friends; and
WHEREAS, over the years Doc Greggs received a plethora of awards and citations
that inspired many young people to follow their dreams; and
WHEREAS, he communicated to his students the need to "be at the right time, at the
right place, with the right equipment ready to concentrate", a mantra that applies beyond the
realm of music, and with his departure from this Earthly life to his Heavenly home, it is
fitting to note that Dr. Isaac Greggs is now at the right place, making beautiful music for all
eternity.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby express sincere condolences upon the passing of Dr. Isaac Greggs; does hereby
extend deepest sympathies to family and friends as they mourn the absence of his presence;
does hereby herald his legacy of music at Southern University and recognize his stylistic SR NO. 118 ENROLLED
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impact on bands around the country; and does hereby share in the prayers of the citizens of
the state in comfort and fond remembrances of the sweet sounds that emanated from this
musical icon.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be transmitted to Dr.
Issac Greggs' wife, Rose Greggs.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE