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Bill Bailey (Dancer)

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Dancer

The Resume

    (December 8, 1912-December 12, 1978)
    Born in Newport News, Virginia
    Tap dancer and Vaudeville performer
    Birth name was Willie Eugene Bailey
    Brother of Pearl Bailey
    Appeared in ‘Going Native (1936),’ ‘Cabin in the Sky (1943),’ and ‘Beale Street Revue (1955)’

Why he might be annoying:

    He shares his name with a British comedian.
    There is ongoing debate as to whether he or Cab Calloway originated the ‘Moonwalk’ dance move popularized by Michael Jackson.
    His wife filed for legal separation alleging that he was 'cruel and inhuman in his family life' (January 24, 1952).
    He was arrested in Philadelphia on drug possession charges after police responded to a domestic dispute (October 1, 1953).
    He was arrested and charged in New York for possession of a quarter-ounce of heroin, four hypodermic needles, and a syringe (January 6, 1956).

Why he might not be annoying:

    He toured with Duke Ellington.
    He was mentored by Bill 'Bojangles' Robinson.
    He turned to religion as nightclubs and theaters began to close, opening a church near the Apollo Theater.
    He allegedly turned down an offer to play Bojangles in a film about his life, stating that ‘It just wasn't for me. God is my only support now.’
    He was the first to perform the ‘Moonwalk’ dance on film in a dance scene for the musical ‘Cabin in the Sky.’
    A video of him performing the Moonwalk dance routine (or what he called 'the backslide') at The Apollo has over 14 million views on YouTube.

Credit: BoyWithTheGreenHair


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    In 2023, Out of 2 Votes: 0% Annoying