2 3 Throwback Thursday and Peg Leg Bates | Ballet Webb

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Throwback Thursday and Peg Leg Bates




Throwback Thursday and Peg Leg Bates
For those who think they can’t do something, or who come up with a million excuses, I present Peg Leg Bates.  His real name was Clayton Bates, and he was born in South Carolina in 1907.  He started dancing at age five, but when he was twelve, he lost a leg to conveyor belt while working in a mill.  Despite this setback, he was determined to continue dancing.
His uncle carved a wooden peg leg for him and he used it to create his own unique style of tap dancing.  He worked his way from minstrel shows and carnivals to the vaudeville stage.  In 1930 he performed as a featured tap dancer at such famous venues as the Cotton Club, Connie’s Inn and the Club Zanzibar.  In 1955, he appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show.
Peg Leg Bates often surpassed other two-legged dancers, and went on to become one of the finest rhythm dancers in the history of tap dancing.
                                                                                                                                        

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets:

Dance History Factoid #18:  
“Peg Leg Bates was a famous tap dancer with only one leg.”

 

                Link of the Day:  


 

Quote of the Day:

"Life means, do the best you can with what you've got, with all your mind and heart. You can do anything in this world if you want to do it bad enough,"

-Peg Leg Bates

 

                Help expand the knowledge base!

 Leave a comment about any instructions, ideas, or images that worked best for you!

 

No comments:

Post a Comment