2 3 Throwback Thursday and Don Campbell | Ballet Webb

Thursday, August 1, 2019

Throwback Thursday and Don Campbell



Throwback Thursday and Don Campbell

Born on January 7, 1951 in St. Louis, Missouri, Don Campbell is best known for inventing the “locking” dance. He first discovered dance while he was studying commercial art.

By 1971 he had joined the cast of Soul Train and he soon became a featured dancer. But when he began requesting that the performers be paid he was let go. Along with other dancers who were removed for the same reason, he formed the Lockers.

He recorded a song to accompany his locking dance titled The Campbellock and in 1972 it was released as a single. This is when he formed his own dance company The Campbellock Dancers, later shortened to The Lockers.

The Lockers appeared on popular television programs of the day such as The Carol Burnett Show and The Tonight Show. The group disbanded in the 1980s but their influence is still felt today in choreography performed by The Backstreet Boys, Britney Spear and Janet Jackson, among others.

According to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Campbell_(dancer): “Don was also honored at the first ever Hip-Hop conference sponsored by and at The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Artifacts such as Don’s outfits worn during His career, were on display inside The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, as well as abroad, as part of an exhibit designed to help promote awareness about Hip-Hop culture.”

Today he is a teacher, adjudicator, writer and speaker.

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets
Dance History Secret #232:
“Don Campbell invented the locking dance.”

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Quote of the Day:
“Create with the heart; build with the mind.”
― Criss Jami, Killosophy

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