Bill Bailey Master of Tap and Moonwalk?
61Bill Bailey's Version of the Moonwalk
Bill Bailey One of the Tap Kings
Born William Norton Bailey on December 8, 1912. Changed his name to Bill Bailey, and became a professional tap dancer. Married Pernell Bailey, fathered nine children, and was grandfather to many more.
Older brother of comedian, actress and singer the great Pearl Bailey passed away on December 12, 1978. Unfortunately, not much is written about Mr. Bailey and his career. While researching this master of tap I ran across something rather curious.
Looks like Bill Bailey performed the moon-walk (Bill dubbed it the Backslide) before Michael Jackson. Bailey performed the "backslide" in the film Cabin In the Sky, Starring Ethel Waters, Eddie "Rochester" Anderson and Lena Horne. Check in out for yourself.
MJ's Version of the Moonwalk
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A Standard Tap Move
From watching these videos it seems that the "moon-walk / backslide" became a standard tap move that most tappers, back in the day, used in routines from Bill Bailey to Fred Astaire.
Ecclesiastes 1:9 - What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.
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Friend William: yes . . I stumbled upon this fact my accident and watched the two videos over and over. Thank you for stopping in and reading my piece.
Another wonderful hub, pmccray. I, too, never connected Bill Bailey with Pearl. Great videos. Thanks.
BKcreative: my thoughts exactly, when I saw the simularity, my mouth stood open...it just goes to show you nothing is new under the sun. Thank you for reading my hub and have a wonderful evening, hope you're not snowed in.
Micky Dee: LOL LOL....I'm in the same boat, I watched these videos several times, the talent is just remarkable, and got tired just watching. Have a wonderful evening my friend.
RevLady: you are such a sweetheart, that you for the compliment and the read. Have a blessed day
Wow! just amazing! So much talent. And how could I forget the backslide. I'm old enough to even remember folks doing this back in the 60's where we danced hard and all the time. Wow! I can even backslide/moonwalk.
What great videos you included. I'll bookmark this and share with my good people. And I didn't know he was related to Pearl Bailey - but she did sing that song about him coming home. Ah, there is still so much to learn and I'm enjoying it, thanks to you!!!!
Thanks a million!
Wow, wow, and wow! Incredible! I can't walk and chew gum. I've always wanted to moonwalk! I can watch these videos all day and just hurt myself. Thank you for a beautiful hub.
Another interesting hub PM. You are master of bringing to us those personalities that we have either forgotten or had not heard of.
Thank you for all that you do to make hubpages a wonderful place to be.
Forever His,
Jools99 Level 7 Commenter 7 weeks ago
pcmccray, nothing, it seems is ever, ever new! An interesting read, enjoyed it.