Bill Robinson
FameRank: 5

"Bill "Bojangles" Robinson" was an American tap dancer and actor, the best known and most highly paid African American entertainer in the first half of the twentieth century. His long career mirrored changes in American entertainment tastes and technology, starting in the age of minstrel shows, moving to vaudeville, Broadway, the recording industry, Hollywood radio, and television. According to dance critic Marshall Stearns, “Robinson's contribution to tap dance is exact and specific. He brought it up on its toes, dancing upright and swinging,” giving tap a “…hitherto-unknown lightness and presence.” His signature routine was the stair dance, in which Robinson would tap up and down a set of stairs in a rhythmically complex sequence of steps, a routine that he unsuccessfully attempted to patent. Robinson is also credited with having introduced a new word, copacetic, into popular culture, via his repeated use of it in vaudeville and radio appearances.

More Bill Robinson on Wikipedia.

There's not enough time for them to be the outside person and the inside person.

260

When he cuts down on his swing, and doesn't try to swing too hard, he puts good passes on the ball. When he hits it, the ball jumps off his bat. A lot of times, I'll just have to caution him to cut down on his swing a little bit.

237

He was always in the manager's office after the game, talking baseball. I think he was destined to be a manager. The way he handled himself, he's a smart man. He would be an excellent choice.

205

It's something we need to pass on. I have to thank my God for giving me the talent and ambition to pursue (it). I thank everyone that's been involved over the years.

157

I had a bunch of people last night that were coming here from camping out when it started snowing. When it really does start snowing up here we really do get booked.

147

That's amazing, not to take BP on the days you pitch, and then to go out there and swing the bat like he does. He's just a phenomenal athlete. He has a lot of confidence in his swing. He also has a lot of pride in hitting, as do all the pitchers.

144

He's always had a good September.

139

There was so much bleach in the motor home that it severely affected the search dogs' ability to smell for a body scent.

132

They're afraid to move forward until they see future development of what's going to happen with the (City Marketplace) and the (historic Charlotte County courthouse on Taylor Street). We don't know whether to dance or walk. Everybody is smiling at each other.

113