Bill Robinson

Bill "Bojangles" Robinson (May 25, 1878 ? November 25, 1949) was a pioneer and pre-eminent African-American tap dance performer.

Mr. Bojangles Memorialized

Fred Astaire paid tribute to Bill Robinson in the tap routine Bojangles of Harlem from the 1936 classic Swing Time. In it he famously dances to three of his shadows. Bill Robinson's character was memorialized in Jerry Jeff Walker's 1968 folk song "Mr. Bojangles" that was later recorded by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Bob Dylan, Nina Simone, John Denver, David Bromberg, Neil Diamond, Sammy Davis, Jr, and Robbie Williams. His biography was published in 1988 and a made-for-television film titled Bojangles was released in 2001. The film earned the NAACP Best actor Award for Gregory Hines' performance as Bill Robinson.

Related Topics:
Fred Astaire - Swing Time - Jerry Jeff Walker - Nitty Gritty Dirt Band - Bob Dylan - Nina Simone - John Denver - David Bromberg - Neil Diamond - Sammy Davis, Jr - Robbie Williams - Bojangles - NAACP Best actor Award - Gregory Hines

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