Bill Robinson, the first major tap dance star, he had been around long before his appearance in the movies, he spent a great many year around the theatre circuits. He is credited for putting the bounce into tap, or bringing it up onto it's toes. There are many stories which surround Bill Robinson's life, as in running backwards faster than most people could forwards, taking part in tap competitions which included Fred Astair and coming first. Also he created the stair dance and was said to have threatened any one who tried to perform it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

John Bubbles, also a huge figure it tap and also found more fame on the theatre scene than the movie seen. He is said to have been the definitive "Sporting Life" in Gershwin's ground breaking "Porgy and Bess". He has also contributed many variations on tap steps as he introduced rhythm tap, which is basically more taps to the bar and also the cramp roll, which is a little four beat step use as a quick punctuation mark..

 

 

 

 

 

 


Bill Baily, was not so well known, he was said to be Bill Robinsons student and elements of Bill Robinson can be seen in his performances, although his tapping style is quite a bit different. He appeared in "Cabin in the Sky" in a dance sequence set in a kitchen.

 

 

 

 

 



 Tip Tap Toe, appeared as speciality acts within a few movies, they had a variety on tap styles between them, and this fused the act together. They usually taped on a table or some raised area, as part of the act was deifying the tendency to fall off the raised surface which made there act so much more exciting..

 

 

 

 

 

 


The Nicholas Brothers, Fayard and Harold, were every where it seemed, they appeared in numerous stage shows around America and Europe. They also appeared in many films, there career spanned many years and they were influenced by so many of the great tap acts of the time.

 

 

 

 

 

 



 Hal Leroy, had a unique tap style of his own, he appeared in many films. His style of comedy tap and rubber movements made him stand out. He is said to be the only white man to have ever entered the famed hoofers club. He appeared in many films, but did not attain great popularity.

 

 

 

 

 

Coles & Atkins, were the top class act of the time and were the act that all other tried and failed to emulate. Honi Coles was a master tap-dancer him self who went through many tap dance partnerships before he met up with his final partner. Honi was also a great solo tap dancer and was once said to of had the fastest taps in the business. He was recognised by the tap community as the master of all tap ceremonies.

 

 

 

 

 

 


The Condos Brothers, were technicians of tap and pushed the boundaries of the tap wing to it's limits. They have appeared in a few films as speciality acts but have also toured the clubs and theatres.

 

 

 

 

 

 


The Four Step Brothers, appeared in only a few films, they were famed for a stage act that included some bottles which they danced round on stage.

 

 

 

 

 

 


The Three chefs, appeared in only a few shorts, however they toured the club circuits too. The act was not that original but they were out there doing there bit..

 

 

 

 

 

 


Baby Lawrence, the great all rounder who found fame by his ability only, he was well respected in the tap community for his improvisational talent and versatility. He could apparently do every thing and seemed to be the combination of all tap-dancers before him. The total master.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sandman Simms, Another great all rounder, but also having the speciality of sand dancing, which he performed in a sand box. Sandman used to travel America challenging all the tap dancers he came across, it is said that he never lost a challenge.

 

 

 

 

 

 


Bunny Briggs, the man with machine gun taps, he can be seen in his performances just effortlessly gliding across the floor appearing not to be moving his feet but the sound of multiple taps fill the air.

 

 

 

 

 

 


Jimmy Slyd, yet another unique all rounder, his speciality is the slide, which he executes so effortlessly, just like skate on ice. Jimmy Slyde is a great favourite in the tap community too.

 

 

 

 

 

 


Gregory Hines, not really an unknown tap hero but he is a personal favourite of ours and we just wanted to round this section by including him, as he has been such an inspiration to all of us.