Stars and Stripes Forever 1952 In the 1890s, Sgt Major John Philip Sousa, leader of the Marine Corps Band, meets Private Willie Little, inventor of an instrument he calls the Sousaphone and Littles girlfriend, shapely showgirl Lily To support his growing family, Sousa leaves the Marines and forms his own band Willie and Lily go along Though hed rather write ballads, Sousas marches bring him increasing fame from their debut in 1892 the band is a great success But Sousas no wives rule threatens the romance of Willie and Lily as does the Spanish American War