Charge “Bojangles” Robinson
Charge “Bojangles” Robinson was a notorious African American tap artist and entertainer most popular for his Broadway exhibitions and film jobs.
(1878-1949)
Who Was Bill “Bojangles” Robinson?
Broadway legend Bill “Bojangles” Robinson began his profession as a vaudeville entertainer, changing to Broadway and to Hollywood movies during the 1930s and 1940s. His sensitive tap-dance style and merry disposition made Robinson a #1 of both High contrast crowds. He kicked the bucket in New York City on November 25, 1949.
Early Life
Charge “Bojangles” Robinson was conceived Luther Robinson in Richmond, Virginia, on May 25, 1878. His dad, Maxwell, worked in a machine shop, while his mom, Maria, was an ensemble vocalist. After both of his folks kicked the bucket in 1885, Robinson was raised by his grandma, Bedilia, who had been an oppressed individual before in her life. As per Robinson, he utilized actual power to urge his sibling, Bill, to switch names with him, since he could have done without his given name of Luther. Moreover, as a young fellow, he procured the moniker “Bojangles” for his petulant propensities.
Moving and Acting Profession
At 5 years old, Robinson started moving professionally, acting in neighborhood lager gardens. In 1886, at 9 years old, he joined Mayme Remington’s visiting group. In 1891, he joined a voyaging organization, later proceeding as a vaudeville act. He made extraordinary progress as a club and melodic parody entertainer. At this phase of his profession, he performed only in dark auditoriums before dark crowds.
In 1908, Robinson met Marty Forkins, who turned into his chief. Forkins asked Robinson to foster his performance act in clubs. Robinson had some time off from execution to act as a shooter in The Second Great War. Alongside battling down and dirty, Robinson was likewise a drum significant who drove the regimental band up Fifth Road upon the regiment’s return from Europe.
In 1928, he featured on Broadway in the gigantically fruitful melodic revue Blackbirds of 1928, which highlighted his well known “step dance.” Blackbirds was a revue featuring African American entertainers, expected for white crowds. The show was a forward leap for Robinson. He turned out to be notable as “Bojangles,” which implied a lively and ecstatic disposition for his white fans, in spite of the almost total inverse importance of the moniker in the African American population. His expression, “Everything’s all good,” supported Robinson’s radiant demeanor. Despite the fact that he worked consistently as an entertainer, Robinson was most popular for his tap-dance schedules. He spearheaded another type of tap, moving from a level footed style to a light, swinging style that zeroed in on rich footwork.
Robinson’s acclaim endured the decay of African American revues. He featured in 14 Hollywood films, a large number of them musicals, and assumed various parts inverse the youngster star Shirley Sanctuary. His film credits incorporate Rebecca of Sunnybrook Ranch, The Little Colonel and Blustery Climate, co-featuring Lena Horne and Taxi Calloway. In spite of his popularity, Robinson couldn’t rise above the limited scope of cliché jobs composed for dark entertainers at that point. By tolerating these jobs, Robinson had the option to keep up with solid job and stay in the public eye. In 1939, at 61 years old, he acted in The Hot Mikado, a jazz-propelled translation of Gilbert and Sullivan’s operetta. Robinson praised his 61st birthday freely by moving down 61 blocks of Broadway.
Individual Life
Robinson was hitched multiple times. His 1907 union with Lena Pursue finished in 1922. He wedded his subsequent spouse, Fannie S. Earth, in 1922. Earth filled in as her better half’s supervisor and helped him in establishing the Negro Entertainers Organization of America, which pushed for the freedoms of African American entertainers. Mud and Robinson separated in 1943. In 1944, he wedded Elaine Plaines. Robinson and Plaines were together until Robinson’s passing in 1949.
Robinson was engaged with baseball as well as theater. In 1936, He helped to establish the New York Dark Yankees group, situated in Harlem, with lender James Semler. The group was a piece of the Negro Public Association until 1948, when Significant Association Baseball previously coordinated racially.
Demise and Inheritance
In spite of procuring millions during his lifetime, Robinson passed on poor in 1949, at 71 years old. Quite a bit of his abundance went to noble cause in Harlem and past before his demise. Robinson’s burial service, organized by long-term companion and TV have Ed Sullivan, was held at the 369th Infantry Regiment Arsenal and went to by thousands, including many stars from media outlets. A tribute by Adam Clayton Powell Sr. (father of Representative Adam Clayton Powell Jr.) was communicated over the radio. Robinson was covered in the Burial ground of the Evergreens in Brooklyn, New York.
Robinson stayed a notable figure after his demise, especially in dance circles. In 1989, a joint legislative goal laid out Public Tap Dance Day on May 25, Robinson’s birthday. Furthermore, a recreational area in Harlem bears Robinson’s name — an approach to regarding his cause commitments and cooperation in the area’s metro life.
Speedy Realities
- Name: Bill Robinson
- Birth Year: 1878
- Birth date: May 25, 1878
- Birth State: Virginia
- Birth City: Richmond
- Birth Nation: US
- Orientation: Male
- Most popular For: Bill “Bojangles” Robinson was a famous African American tap artist and entertainer most popular for his Broadway exhibitions and film jobs.
- Ventures
- Film
- Music
- Celestial Sign: Gemini
- Demise Year: 1949
- Demise date: November 25, 1949
- Demise State: New York
- Demise City: New York
- Demise Nation: US
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Reference Data
- Article Title: Bill “Bojangles” Robinson Life story
- Creator: Biography.com Editors
- Site Name: The Biography.com site
- Url: https://www.biography.com/craftsmen/bill-bojangles-robinson
- Access Date:
- Distributer: A&E; Broadcasting companies
- Last Refreshed: October 27, 2021
- Unique Distributed Date: April 2, 2014
QUOTES
- Everything is all good.
