Bill “Bojangles” Robinson had the largest funeral EVER in New York. Tap Dance Legend #BlkHandSide
Bill “Bojangles” Robinson: pioneering Dancer who crossed over #BlkHandSide
On May 25th in 1878, Bill “Bojangles” Robinson was born.
He was an African American tap dancer and entertainer.
Born Luther Robinson in Richmond, VA, he was raised by his grandmother after being orphaned as a baby.
As a child, Robinson danced for pennies from passersby on the streets.
He left school before the age of eight and ran away to Washington, D.C., where he worked as a stable boy at a racetrack.
In Washington, he observed traveling minstrel shows and copied aspects of their movement, eventually creating a unique dance style characterized by highly rhythmic, syncopated, and complex footwork that appeared effortless, carefree, and buoyant.
He developed tap dance and soft-shoe routines (tap dances done in soft-soled shoes) in which he proved himself a master of improvisation, able to produce a seemingly unlimited range of percussive sounds.
In 1892 Robinson debuted as a professional dancer in a minstrel show called "The South Before the War." He later teamed with George Cooper in a dance and comedy vaudeville routine.
In 1908, Marty Forkins, a successful vaudeville agent, became his manager and helped Robinson become a vaudeville and musical theater star.
Robinson performed in New York City in several Broadway musical revues, including "Blackbirds of 1928" and "Brown Buddies" (1930), "Blackbirds of 1933," and "The Hot Mikado" (1939). In 1930 he went to Hollywood, CA, where he appeared in 14 motion pictures.
His work with American child actor Shirley Temple in four motion pictures—"The Little Colonel" (1935), in which he memorably taught Temple his trademark stair dance;
Robinson later drew criticism for having portrayed racial stereotypes in his roles as grinning and acquiescent servants.
His last motion-picture role was opposite African-American singer Lena Horne in the musical "Stormy Weather" (1943), which had an all-Black cast.
Bill Robinson was known for his skill and originality and was one of the first Black entertainers to achieve popularity among members of different races in the United States.
Robinson was married three times.
Robinson was involved in baseball as well as theater.
In 1936, He co-founded the New York Black Yankees team, based in Harlem, with financier James Semler.
The team was a part of the Negro National League until 1948, when Major League Baseball first integrated racially.
Despite earning millions during his lifetime, Robinson died poor in 1949, at the age of 71.
Much of his wealth went to charities in Harlem and beyond before his death.
Robinson's funeral, arranged by longtime friend and television host?Ed Sullivan, was held at the 369th Infantry Regiment Armory and attended by thousands, including many stars from the entertainment industry.
A eulogy by Adam Clayton Powell Sr. (father of Congressman Adam Clayton Powell Jr.) was broadcast over the radio.
Robinson was buried in the Cemetery of the Evergreens in Brooklyn, New York.
Robinson remained a well-known figure after his death, particularly in dance circles.
Reference:
The Ghost Walks:
A Chronological History of Blacks in Show Business 1865-1910
Henry T. Sampson
Scarecrow Press (Metuchen, NJ., 1988)
Continued Legacy:
In 1989, a joint congressional resolution established National Tap Dance Day on May 25, Robinson's birthday.
Additionally, a public park in Harlem bears Robinson's name — a way of honoring his charitable contributions and participation in the neighborhood's civic life.
Bojangles OpCo, LLC., doing business as Bojangles, is an American regional chain of fast-food restaurants that specializes in Cajun-seasoned fried chicken and buttermilk biscuits that primarily serve the Southeastern United States.
Headquarters:?Charlotte, NC
领英推荐
Founder:?Jack Fulk
Founded:?1977,?Charlotte, NC
CEO:?Jose Armario?(Jan 28, 2019–)
Revenue:?547?million USD (2021)
Number of employees:?9,900 (2021)
Subsidiaries:?BHI Intermediate Holding Corp.,?Bojangles' Restaurants Inc.
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