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Birth
Howard Sims is born in Fort Smith, Arizona -
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Life of Howard "Sandman" Sims
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Discovering His Tap
In the 1930s, after breaking his hand boxing, Howard Sims earns his nickname "Sandman" as he experiments tapping and sliding on sand. Ultimately he fashions a sound box that he would fill with sand and mike. -
Arrives in New York
After arriving in New York, Sims soon becomes a personality, performing at the Apollo Theatre. Serving as the Stage Manager and "executioner" for the theatre's amateur performance nights. -
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Tough Times
As tap goes out of style, Sims tries to make ends meet by doing odd jobs such as a mechanic and carpenter, and also takes to teaching. In this time span he tutored future dancers Gregory Hines and Ben Vereen, and teaching boxers Sugar Ray Robinson and Muhammad Ali how to move their feet quickly in the ring. -
Tap Happening
Sims and many other tap veterans, join an off broadway revue; Tap Happening. -
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Center of the Revival
The 80s saw a huge revival of tap dancing with Sims at the center. During this time he represented the U.S. State Department by traveling and serving as an unofficial "tap" ambassador. Also during this time he appeared in several Tap dancing documentaries, and two movies including 1989's "Tap." -
Appears on the Cosby Show
Sims appears in the episode "Mr. Sandman" of the Cosby Show, playing a tap dance teacher. -
Death
Sims dies in New York at the age of 83.