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Birth of Bill Robinson
Bill Robinson was born in Richmond, Virginia on May 25th, 1878 to mother of Maria Robinson and father of Maxwell Robinson. -
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The life of Bill "Bojangles" Robinson
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Lost parents in 1885
Raised by his grandmother, Bedilia. Robinson used physical force to make his brother, Bill, switch names with him since he didn't like his given name of Luther. He earned the nickname "Bojangles" for his argumentive tendences. He started dancing at the age of 5 yeras old and was performing in local beer gardens. -
Becoming a performer
Robinson started traveling and became a great hit as a musical/comedy performer at nightclubs. During this time he mainly performed for black audiences in black theathers. -
Married Lena Chase
Divorced in 1922 -
Taking a break: World War 1
Took a break from night clubs and became a rifleman in WWI, but also was a drum major for the 369th Infantry while serving under France's Fourth Army and earned the nickname the "Harlem Hellfighters". -
Married 2nd wife: Rannie S. Clay
Divorced in 1943 -
Back at it again...
Robinson starred in "Blackbirds of 1928" which turned into a huge hit, he performed his famous "stair dance". "Blackbirds" were African-American performers for a white audience. The white folk picked up on "Bojangles" being a peppy and cheerful, however that is not what his name meant to the black community. He decided to keep it. -
"The Little Colonel"
Taught Shirley Temple how to tapdance. “We held hands and I learned to dance from Billy by listening, not looking at the feet. It was kind of a magic between us." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFlIx5_jaQA -
"Stormy Weather"
Tap danced on a boat with sand on the deck, giving his shoes more of a sound effect, this song was called "The Sand Dance". Was also in other films "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm" in March 18th, 1938. -
Married 3rd wife Elaine Plaines
with Elaine until 1949 (until death) -
Death: Bill "Bojangles" Robinson
Died at the age of 71, in New York City, New York. Much of his money went to charities in Harlem. Thousands of people atttended his funeraland a eulogy by Adam Clayton Powell Sr. was broadcast over the radio. National Tap Dance Day is on May 25th (Robinson's Birthday).
