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Bill Bojangles Research Paper

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Bill “Bojangles” Robinson was a very accomplished tap dancer, a strong leader of his beliefs and an inspiring role model to young dancers. He stood up for his race, and performed on one of America’s biggest stages, soon being recognised as a hero. Bringing tap dance from a former flat-footed style to a more dancing on your toes style, Robinson arose as well known celebrity in all of America. Robinson was born on May 25, 1878 in Virginia to Maxwell and Maria Robinson. Both of Robinson’s parents died when Bill was young, so he and his brother, Luther were passed to their Grandmother to be raised. Their Grandmother was a former slave who taught Robinson respect for his race. Therefore, he was not afraid, as other colored dancers, to dance wherever he pleased. Robinson began tapping on street corners when he was passed to his Grandmother. He was a hoofer; a song and dance man. He joked while he danced, which would seem hard, but Robinson danced rarely using his arms or travelling across …show more content…

He was one of the first colored dancers to perform at New York’s Prestigious Palace. That was when Robinson was given the nickname “Bojangles”. He was never quite sure why he was deemed “Bojangles”, however, some theories say that it meant “happy go lucky”, “squabbler” or “jangler”. After dancing at New York’s Prestigious Palace, he danced in Vaudeville, which is similar to present day Hollywood, from 1914-1927, making $3,500 per week. During his dancing career performing in Vaudeville, he married Fanny Clay who then became his business manager and secretary. Robinson danced in front of his first white audience in 1828, when he was 50. Within the next decade, Robinson starred in 14 motion pictures, available to any race. Robinson grew very famous, some of his fans included President Roosevelt and Will Rogers. He also taught and inspired many other famous tap dancers such as: Eleanor Powell, Florence Mills and Fred

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