Bill Robinson

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

Racism and Robinson's Rise to Fame

However, overcoming even a part of the racism that existed took a long time. At a point in history when segregation was the accepted norm in the United States, Robinson initially was made to perform for white audiences in blackface. However, his popularity led to a tour of Canada where he could appear without having to hide behind make-up. Nevertheless, at home, Robinson performed almost exclusively for black audiences until a Broadway producer in need of something different to help arrest the decline in popularity of vaudeville acts hired him for a revue called "Blackbirds of 1928." The all-white audiences loved the show and the then 50-year-old Robinson soon became much in demand, said to be the highest paid black performer of the time. Acclaimed for his innovative and complex dance style, he personified the happy-go-lucky image of a dapper gentleman, often appearing on stage in tails and top hat while swinging a cane.

Related Topics:
Racism - Segregation - United States - Blackface - Canada - Broadway - Vaudeville

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