11-06-24 ANOTHER JUMP OFF THE ON RAMP - DANCIN' DANCIN' DANCIN'!!!!

Like all people, I have a list of things I regret not doing. I never went to the next level as a pianist. I did win a Talent Show in the 9th grade playing The Boogie Woogie Blues with a good friend, a drummer, Jack Hayward. We blew the roof off the place. It was the most thrilling 5-10 minutes of my life. There are a million reasons I quit playing far beyond this erudite article on regrets. I also never learned to dance. When I see a Reel on Facebook showing some modern insane dancer, I tell myself "I wish I could do that". Today's videos show the best of the best from performers who followed their dreams.

I must say, however, I checked the most important boxes - I married the most amazing woman who loves music like me, and I have two kids that have never disappointed their parents as kids or adults, and they love great music old and new. I joke all the time - In my next life I want to be a rock star. There's just something extraordinary about singing to a crowd, large or small, that is in rhythm with what you are singing, playing or dancing.

So, today's post features the best dancers past and present.

First up - Very Old meets Very New - A roster of some of the greatest dancers in history in rhythm with a multi award winning tune, released in 2014, written by British Record Producer Mark Ronson and featuring Bruno Mars delivering the funk in this great tune - UPTOWN FUNK.

If you like pop and if you like jazz - this one's for you

This guy impresses as the current old school/new school singer that combines pop with jazz. He started out as a Wedding Singer. Like they say - things are different now. He has won five Grammies and a slew of other awards. This tune has great singing and some insane dancing by a crew of red clad dancers - Michael Bublé performing HIGHER!

Here's one of the greatest doing his thing - 1962

I saw this great dancer, actor, singer, performer on Broadway in 1964 in the hit GOLDEN BOY with my family. It was an eye opener indeed for a Southern boy from tiny Tallahassee at the age of 15 enjoying a great performance in the Big City on The Great White Way. Enjoy some of the most amazing dancing you will ever see as Sammy taps his way into the hearts of Italians during a tour of Italy - Sammy Davis Jr. Tap Dancing - Italy 1962.

THE KING OF POP - A talented unique artist

I never had the pleasure of seeing this amazing talent live. This phenomenal pop star, winner of fifteen Grammies, redefined Pop Music every time he recorded or stepped on a stage. Here is a short clip showing moves like no other. IMHO - One of the coolest videos ever performed and recorded - Michael Jackson - Live in Bucharest 1992 - SMOOTH CRIMINAL!

Another Singular Talent - IN THE RAIN

This singer, actor, dancer, choreographer, performer danced, choreographed and directed over forty films from 1942 to 1997. He was old school perfect with smooth moves like no other. Here is a nice clip as he performs the title song - GENE KELLY - SINGIN' IN THE RAIN 1952.

They say she's the greatest Female Dancer in Hollywood History 

This video shows us how it was done when art and emotion combined to show us the beauty of the human spirit through dance. This talented hoofer does it right with some of the greatest dancers in history. CYD CHARISSE - THE BEST FEMALE DANCER IN HOLLYWOOD HISTORY!

Another Great One from 1951

This clip is one of the most creative dance numbers ever performed. I was a mere two years old when this was recorded! But - my parents made sure I listened and watched this kind of music and dance growing up. I still have my very own WHITE CHRISTMAS album by the great Bing Crosby given to me when I was around ten! Anyway, here is the great Fred Astaire who won too many awards in film to count. From the movie Royal Wedding Astaire does some crazy dance steps with an unusual partner - FRED ASTAIRE - DANCING WITH A HAT RACK - 1951!

And Last But Not Least - THE KING

I think most Nomads can agree that ELVIS was, indeed, the King of Rock & Roll. Most of his movies never made it to the Oscar nominating list. However, one movie has one of his greatest tunes with some serious dancing. Released in 1957, this tune is one of the greatest rock and roll songs ever recorded. It quickly became No. 1. Elvis sold over a billion records. Not too bad for a boy from Tupelo. I never got to see this artist that changed modern music like no one else. This great video has had 264,742,896 views as of December 2007 - ELVIS, THE KING OF ROCK & ROLL - JAILHOUSE ROCK!

ELVIS THE MOVIE - 2022

And just to show that great dancing is still with us, enjoy the first concert scene from the 2022 movie ELVIS. Like his band mates said - They wanna' see you wiggle! Starring Australian actor Austin Butler as Elvis and Tom Hanks as Colonel Tom Parker, the popular film won multiple awards. This scene captures the essence of Elvis from the fifties and the dancing ain't bad either - ELVIS - FIRST CONCERT SCENE!

The great insane Rocker Frank Zappa had an opinion on this dancing thing - DANCIN' FOOL.

Who knows - Just listening and watching all these great dancers maybe - Probably not!

D.L.Stafford

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