 |
|
|
|
|
"The "Twist" was a song written and recorded in 1959 by Hank Ballard and his group The Midnighters and was inspired by the way his backing singers moved as they sang. The original version was the 'B' side to "Teardrops On Your Letter". Dick Clark failed to talk Hank Ballard into performing the song on 'American Bandstand' so he duplicated the song using an unknown chicken plucker called Earnest Evans who was also an amateur song style impersonator. Before release, Dick Clark's wife suggested that Earnest adopt a stage name, maybe something like 'Fats Domino'. They substituted 'Chubby' for 'Fats' and 'Checker' for 'Domino' and the rest, as they say, is history! One of the main factors in the popularity of the Twist was that it was so easy to do. It could be performed by anyone, regardless of whether they had a sense of rhythm or not. Chubby Checker went on to release other 'dance craze' songs including "The Mess Around", "The Hucklebuck" and "The Fly". Many other acts also recorded versions of 'Twist' songs like The Isley Brothers' and The Beatles' "Twist and Shout", "Twistin' The Night Away" by Sam Cooke and the aforementioned Joey Dee And The Starlighters' "Peppermint Twist". Chubby Checker recorded versions in Italian, French and German, devoting an entire multilingual L.P.to the dance called 'Twisting Round The World'. Although hundreds of 'dance styles' were invented during the decade - see the list below! - none were more popular or long-lived than "The Twist". |
|
The Cavern Club in Liverpool had its own special dance almost forced upon it. Called 'The Cavern Stomp' it consisted of holding hands with the person nearest you and jerking backwards and forwards in an effort to avoid falling over. This was just about all that was possible due to the overcrowded nature of the venue!
 |
There
was also the dance to 'The Clapping Song' by Shirley Ellis ( did it
have a name? ) and even The Charleston and The Hand Jive had Sixties
revivals! 'Kick your feet up, swing your arms up too, move your head both ways like you see me do'. 'Do The Freddie' was a US hit for Freddie and the Dreamers in 1965, reaching number 18. The song didn't chart in the UK at all. It was a similar story for the 'War Canoe', in the style of Monkey and Jerk, a non-hit for the mighty Rolf Harris. The 'Batusi' was a slightly sinister dance, based on the Watusi, using 'moves' mimicking the actions of 'Batman'. The Bop and The Shoulder Shake were still long-running standards for the Teds and motorcycle fraternity, while the line-dancers participated in whatever the local version was of The Stroll. For the handbag dancers there was always the Shadow Walk. |
 |
| Thing
of the past? No sir, the Sixties dance scene is still hugely alive
and rockin'! Check out this great site (click
on image) The Hipster Go-Go Dancers - two girls who have a great love of the 1960's and have done so most of their lives. For over two decades they have been involved in a variety of events, mainly around Melbourne, Australia concerning 1960's music and dance. Brits - If you fancy a go and want to learn some fab stuff..... have a look at this! 
Put on your dancing shoes! . . . a few quick lessons in some of the basics to get you going . . . . |
 |
 |
Bend
It!
Click on the image to see the original instructions to Patrick Kerr's dance (Thanks to Scooter Stu for this!) The Hokey Pokey (or Cokey) The participants stand in a big ring formation during the dance. The dance follows the instructions given in the lyrics of the song, which may be prompted by a bandleader or another danceleader. Specific body parts are named, and these are then sequentially put into the ring, taken out of the ring, and finally wiggled around maniacally inside the ring. After this is done one raises one's hands up to the side of the head, wiggles them, and turns around in place until the next sequence begins, with a new named body part. A sample instruction set would be: You put your left ear in, You put your left ear out, You put your left ear in and you shake it all about. You do the Hokey Pokey and you turn around, That's what it's all about . . . oi! |
 The
Mashed Potato / Monster MashThe basic Mashed Potato dance steps are on the right. The 'Monster Mash is essentially the same dance, done with creepy, ghoul-like arm movements and transitions.  |
Right
knee bends, right foot lifts off the floor, weight shifts to left
foot. Pivot on left foot an eighth of a turn clockwise. Left foot pivots a quarter turn counterclockwise. Right foot steps close to left foot, then right foot pivots a quarter turn clockwise. Left knee bends and left foot lifts off the floor. Right foot pivots a quarter turn clockwise. Left foot steps close to right foot, then left foot pivots quarter turn clockwise. Right knee bends and right knee lifts off the floor. Left foot pivots quarter turn counterclockwise. Right foot steps close to left foot, then right foot pivots quarter turn clockwise. Left knee bends and left foot lifts off the floor. Right foot pivots quarter turn counterclockwise. Repeat. |
 |
 The
Hitch-Hike1. Stand in upright position with feet apart, doing the frug movement. 2. Hitch-hike with right thumb on the counts 1-2-3, to you right side. 3. Clap on the fourth beat on the right side of your body. 4. Hitch-hike with the left thumb on the count 1-2-3, back to the left side. 5. Clap on the fourth beat on the left side of your body. Repeat over and over. |
 |
 |
 The
Monkey1 . Taking a fighter's crouch, face your partner and stand with feet apart, knees bent. Bend arms and close fists, thumbs up. 2. Bend forward from waist to the left, raising right arm. As your body bobs, your head also bobs forward on each count. The whole effect is jerky. 3. Straighten up to original position. 4. Bend forward from waist toward your partner, facing centre, switching arms as you do so. 5. Straighten to original position. Hands and head should give impression of monkey holding two bananas. 6. Bend forward from waist to the right. Straighten to original position. 7. Bob back to centre, bending at waist and again switching hands. 8. Repeat entire pattern. Counts are double time, hitting every accent in the music. |
| The
Chicken 1. Stand with feet together and put right heel out. 2. Jump back into place with right foot, landing with left toe on ground, left heel raised. 3. Put heel of left foot out to left side. 4. Jump back in place with left foot, landing with right toe on ground, right heel raised. Repeat over and over in place. The body moves easily from side to side by dropping the opposite shoulder each time the foot goes out. The counts are 1-2-3-4. Repeat it over and over Note: The hands are raised, the fingers snapping on the beat. |
 |
The
Blue-Beat
Fly-away step 1 Swing step 1 Fly-away (group) |
Basic
Blue-Beat Swing
( same steps for boy and girl ) Stand with feet apart, hands held at side of body two or three inches from side 1. Swing weight over onto left foot, both knees bending over to the left, swinging arms across each other at the same time. 2. Swing weight over onto right foot, both knees bending over to the right, uncrossing arms and swinging them wide open away from body. Continue this swinging movement left and right, keeping time to the very definite background beat that you can hear in all 'blue-beat' music. Keep arm swing sharp and defined. |
|
| Blue-Beat
Fly-Away ( can be danced before or after the basic swing
) 1. Straighten right knee, raising left foot in sharp, small kick in front of right foot 2. Step onto left foot, lowering it in front of right foot 3-4. Transfer weight onto right foot, then left foot, in a rocking action. 5. Straighten left knee, raising right foot in sharp, small kick in front of left foot. 6. Step onto right foot, loering it in front of left foot. 7-8. Transfer weight onto left foot, then right foot, in a rocking action. |
What is Blue-Beat Rhythm? Try Ezz Reco's 'Little Girl' or 'King Of Kings' or 'Gypsy Woman' by Cosmo Click here to see the floor step pattern ( Thanks to Scooter Stu for this! ) |
|
The
Pony The Pony is from Chubby Checker's "Pony Time". The beat is 1&2, 3&4, etc, with the feet comfortably together. Various arm and hand motions can be done when Pony-ing, and movement on the dance floor can occur; however, there is no line-of-dance. Couples do not touch, and they are generally facing each other, but turns and chase positions are also possible.Counts are 1 and 2 (right foot pony) 3 and 4 (left foot pony) 1. Stand normally 2. Jump to the right and land on your right foot leaving the left foot in the air next to your ankle. 3. Step down on your left foot toes lifting up your right foot at the same time. 4. Step down on your right foot lifting up your left foot at the same time. 5. Jump to the left and land on your left foot leaving the right foot in the air next to your ankle. 6. Step down on your right foot toes lifting up your left foot at the same time. 7. step down on your left foot lifting up your right foot at the same time. 8. Move your arms up when you are ponying on the right foot and move them down on the left foot. |
The
Madison / Madison Time Typical music is 'The Madison Time' by The Ray Bryant Combo, available on various CD compilations. Click here for samples. The tune is in regular 4/4 time. The dance consists of a basic step and a series of figures. Each figure occupies a fixed number of beats, but they are all different. Don't expect the figures to start on the first beat of a bar or at the beginning of a phrase as they go all across the music. The basic step occupies 6 beats or one and a half bars, so the step weaves pleasantly in and out of the tune. Always complete the basic step you're doing, then go straight into the figure, whatever the tune may be doing. |
|
|
The
Basic Madison Step (1.5 bars) It's six beats and it goes like this. Step; close; step; tap; tap; tap. Stand slightly sideways with your left shoulder to the front. (1) Step LF to the side. (2) Close RF to LF without weight and clap. (3) Step back on RF to place. (4) Cross LF in front of RF and tap. (5) Uncross LF and tap. (6) Cross LF in front and tap. On the clap, reach forward with both arms. On the taps raise the hands to shoulder level and wave from side to side. |
|
More
Madison FiguresTwo Up, Two Back, Big, Strong Turn (X) (4 bars)
Chasse to the left (L, R, L, pause) then the chasse to the right (R, L, R, pause). Turn anticlockwise on the spot with 4 steps (2 beats per step), L, R, L, R.
During the turn, flourish the arms, raising the R arm with the R leg.
Two Up, Two Back, Double Cross, Rifleman (R) (5.5 bars)
Chasse left and right as before. Walk forward with 4 steps (2 beats per step) crossing free leg in front of the other. Drop down (2 beats).
Jump up and shoot the rifle (2 beats). Step forward LF. Step back RF, then back to the basic.
M and Erase It (M) (8 bars)
Trace the letter M on the floor with chasses to the left and right. There are 4 chasses to draw the M and another 4 to erase it.
T Time (T) (2.5 bars)
Chasse to the left and close with RF. Star jump to arms outstretched (T) position. Jump back to normal arms down position.
Chasse right to place, extending arms on each step R.
Cleveland Box (C) (4 bars)
This is a box step, but it's a bit more complicated than the 4 step box used by line dancers and The Shadows.
Imagine a compass rose on the floor about 18 inches across. You start, not in the centre, but at the S mark, and visit four points around the circle, as follows:
Step LF to SW. Close RF. Step LF to NW. Step RF to NE. Close LF. Step RF to SE. Step LF to SW. Close RF. Each step is two beats.
Where's the pattern in that, you may ask. Well, you need to visit each of the four points by stepping onto each then closing with the free foot. However, in some cases a close will put you on the wrong foot for the next side step. You therefore omit the close when it would trip you up on the next step. Try it and see.
Whilst you're doing this you bend forward from the waist and revolve the hands rapidly around each other. When you close with the feet you don't simply bring the feet together. You bring your free foot directly behind the standing foot and spring on to it, knocking away the other foot.
On every close, you stand upright, then bend forward for the next step. Needs a bit of practice, but don't ask me to demonstrate!!
Basketball with the Wilt Chamberlain Hook (W) (3 bars)
Chasse to the left dribbling the ball. Jump to shoot the hoop turning anticlockwise (2 beats). Jump back clockwise to front (2 beats).
Chasse back to the right, calling out the score. ("Two points").
Jackie Gleason (J) (2.5 bars)
Chasse to the left. Throw R leg out to the front, then swing it back in front of L leg. Launch forward on to RF with arms outstretched (2 beats). ("Awaaaaay we go").
Step L, Step back R to place.
Birdland (B) (6.5 bars)
Totally freeform. Walk around doing various bird impressions as you wish.
Two Up, Two Back, Double Cross and Freeze (F) (4.5 bars)
Chasse to the left and right. Walk forward crossing free leg in front (2 beats per step). Freeze.
The
Block Crouch down with arms slightly bent, palms facing down. Quickly place one foot in front of the other and twist your heel as it lands. Spin round on your heels and improvise a bit of fancy footwork. The Hitch Hike  With feet firmly placed, bend knees slightly and shake your hips. Place your hands at your sides and fist them, leaving thumb open and pointing up. Move arms up and down alternately, jerking your fist over your shoulder. Then, occasionally, jerk both fists together over one shoulder and jump to either side. Also, see below for more instructions The Shake  Stand with one foot firmly in front of the other, stretch your arms out and swing from side to side while nodding your head. Shake your upper body from the hips, occasionally jumping to one side or the other. The Dog  With feet slightly apart, crouch down with arms bent and fists clenched. Move body and arms backwards and forwards with the beat. Jerk clenched fists over shoulders alternately similar to Hitch Hike movement and jump to the left or right. The Ska  '"Milk a cow" with your hands from a crouched position, swaying from the hips. Keep the rhythm, moving slowly up and down, occasionally lifting one foot up high. The Stricken Chicken - Don't wait for Oktoberfest. Bend your arms so that both elbows stick out at a 90-degree angle. Flap your arms like wings while squeezing your knees together and strutting around. It only sounds silly, it looks cool. More on The Ska at HipsterGoGo |
Other
Basic Dance Steps: THE LIMBO Dancers move to a Caribbean rhythm, then lean backwards and 'dance' under a horizontal stick without touching it. Upon touching it, or falling backwards, the dancer is "out". When several dancers compete, they travel in single file and the stick is gradually lowered until only one dancer, who has not touched either the stick or the floor, remains. THE SHIMMY The Shimmy is a dance in which the body is held still, except for the shoulders, which are alternated back and forth. When the right shoulder goes back, the left one comes forward. It may help to hold the arms out slightly bent at the elbow and, when the shoulders are moved, keep the hands in the same position. THE FREDDY You simply just stand in one place! Then, in rhythm with the music, first extend the left leg and left arm; then the right leg and right arm (not all at once - you'll fall over!) Repeat until the song's conclusion. THE MOUSE Is another monkey variation. Put your thumbs to your ears, wiggle your fingers, put your upper teeth over your lower lip-and keep the beat with your knees. That's the whole mouse. THE JERK This is basically the Monkey-but with your arms and hands moving as if you're leading a band - crossing your wrists in front of your chest, then sweeping out-in time, or at half time, with your body movement, to the count of four. Your hands are up at face level. On count 1, the outward sweep, "push" your hands out into the outward sweep, giving a jerky motion. For a little more style, snap your fingers on the two outward movements - the first and third counts of your hand motion. |
THE LOCOMOTION
Slide, touch, slide, touch, slide, touch, slide, touch. Lock steps for eight counts. Walk forward with a kick, walk back with a stomp. Hop forward, hop back, hop forward, hop back, hop forward, hop back with a one-quarter right turn. Got it? Begin again.
PEYTON PLACE AFTER MIDNIGHT
Extend your left arm in front of your body as if you're holding reins. Wave your right arm in a circular motion above your head while galloping in place for two counts. Bend slightly at the waist and stick out your rear. Make the circular arm motion by your knees while continuing to gallop in place for two counts.
| THE
BUNNY HOP The participants dance in a line, holding on to the hips of the person in front of them. They tap the floor two times with their right foot, then with their left foot, then they hop forwards, backwards, and finally three hops forward to finish the sequence, which continues throughout the song. The first person in the line leads the group around the floor, much like a conga. THE BOSTON MONKEY Feet together, knees bent. Body bent from the waist. Hands in front of you, palms down, at waist level. Movement: Hips to the left, hips to the right. You push your right hip out and slightly back, at the same time moving your hands to the left. You push your left hip out and slightly back, at the same time moving your hands to the right. All done bobbing, monkey-like. THE STROLL Form two lines, men on one side, facing the women on the other. The first man and woman make their way down the line, strutting their stuff to the end of the row where they separate, with the man rejoining the men's aisle and the woman lining up with the women. Then the next couple make ther way down the line. Meanwhile, the people in the line move to the music and try to look real cool. THE HAND JIVE |
 |
Dance Resources
|
Active
Videos
Christy Lane 60s Instructional Dance Videos Amazon Link use 'search' Learn to Dance With The Saturn V |
 |
Kathy
Blake's - Let's Learn How To Dance series Party Dances 1960 Kathy Blake gives an in depth demonstration of her versions on how to do some of the popular party dances from the 1960's. She'll show you how to do the Frug, some Go-Go Dancin', Mashed Potatoes, Monkey, Pony and Swim. She'll also take you through some practice and give you tips on what to do with your arms and legs. Amazon Link - use 'search' The World Famous Pontani Sisters - Go-Go Robics Caberet Queens Angie, Helen and Tara give you an aerobics work out at the same time showing you their versions of some popular 1960's dances. They also throw in some of their own made up steps. Original dances shown are the Hully Gully, Mashed Potato, Pony and Twist. Amazon Link - use 'search' |
Still here? What are you waiting for . . . . . . go and practice!
 |
 The 60s fad for new dances brought us such wondrous things as: |
 |
|
The
45
The Aba Daba Do Dance The Adler Sock The Afro Twist The Agent 007 Dance The Alabama Shake The Alley Cat The Alley Oop The Alligator The Ants The Arthur The Baby Baby The Baby Walk The Baby Beatle Walk The Baby Workout The Bad Baboon The Banana Split The Bang The Barefootin' The Barracuda The Bastella The Batman The Bat-Tusi The Beatle Boogie The Beatle Bounce The Beatle Stomp The Beetle Squash The Beguine The Behemoth The Bend It! The Big City Stomp The Big Egg The Billy-Jo The Bird The Black Stomp The Blakes Beat The Block The Blue Beat The Blue Chip The Bolaro The Bombay The Bombie The Boney Maroney The Bongo Hop The Boo-Ga-Loo The Boogaloo Popeye The Boogler The Boomerang The Booty Green The Bop The Boss Walk The Bossa Nova The Boston Hop The Boston Monkey The Bounce The Brain The Breakdown The Broadway Walk The Bristol Stomp The Broken Hip The Bug The Bull Nose Stomp The Bumpsi The Bunny Hop The Burn The Bushman The Bus Stop The Calypso Dance The Camel Walk The Camel Walk Stroll The Capri The Carnaby The Cat Walk The Caterpillar The Cha Jerk The Charge The Charleston Fish The Cheater Stomp The Chicken The Chicken-Back The Chill The Chiller The Chiller Limbo The Chin-A-Ling The Choo Choo The Cinnamon Cinder The Clam The Clap Boo Ga loo The Claw The Cleopatra Cha Cha The Cleopatra Stroll The Click The Climb The Cling The Clyde The Coco Cherry Mash The Coffee Grind The Congo The Continental The Continental Mash The Continental Walk The Continental Whip The Cool Broadway The Cool Jerk The Cool Off The Cool Shake The Cotton The Count The Cow The Crack Up The Crawl The Crazy Chicken The Creamy Mashed Potato The Crossfire The Crown The Cruise The Crumble The Crusher The Cum-A-La-Be-Stay The Danceannette The Dartell Stomp The Del Viking The Dip The Dipsey Dooble The Dirt The Dirty Boogie The Dirty Dog The Discophonic Walk The Dish Rag The Doctors Boogie |
The Dog |
The Lowdown Popcorn The Luau The Lurch The Madison The Magoo The Majestic The Malibu The Mambo The Mambo Boogie The Manhattan Stomp The March Of The Mods The Martian Hop The Marvel The Mash The Mashi The Mashed Potato The Mashed Potatoes Popcorn The Mashed Taters The Massacre Stomp The Matador The Merengue The Mess Around The Mexican Hat Dance The Millie The Mint The Mojo Workout The Molecule A-Go-Go The Monkey The Monkey Bird The Monkey Dog The Monkey Donkey The Monkey Hop The Monkey Jerk The Monkey Jump The Monkey Shine The Monkey Stroll The Monkey Walk The Monkey Wobble The Monster Mash The Mope The Moppety Stomp The Mother Goose The Mother Popcorn The Mountain Stomp The Mouse The Mozart Stomp The Mule The Mumble Shing A Ling The Munch The Napoleon The Nick Nack Hully Gully The Night Stomp The Nitty Gritty The Olympic Shuffle The Oobie Doobie The Ooh Poo Pah Doo The Op The Ops and Ops The Ostrich The Pachanga The Pata Pata The Pearl The Penguin The Peppermint Twist The Peter Gunn The Peyton Place After Midnight The Philly The Philly Dog The Philly Freeze The Philly Horse The Philly Jerk The Philly Walk The Pogo The Polka The Polly Wolly The Pony The Pony Horse The Pony Rock The Pony Tail The Pony Walk The Popcorn Poppin' The Popeye The Popeye Line The Popeye Shimmy The Popeye Stroll The Popeye Waddle The Potato Mash The Prance The Pretzel The Push The Push And Pull The Pyramids Stomp The Ray Charles-Ton The Razzle Dazzle The Rebel Walk The Reel The Rendezvous Stomp The Rhumba Boogie The Rib The Rifle The Roach The Robbie The Rock The Rock And Roll The Rocksteady The Roman The Romp The Rooster Walk The Rosko The Rosy The Royal Whirl The Rubberneck (Rubberneckin') The Rush Hour Stomp The Scotch The Scrape The Scratch The Scratchin' The Screw The Scrogg The Scrubs The Scrumble The Seaside The Seesaw The Shaggy Dog The Shake The Shake A Tail Feather The Shake And Shingaling The Shake And Stomp The Shake Around The Shake Rattle Snake The Shaky Bird The Shampoo The Shilly Dilly The Shimmy The Shimmy Watusi |
The
Shing-A-Ling The Shing-A-Ling-A-Loo The Shing-A-Ling Stroll The Shoddy Shoddy The Shotgun The Shotgun Boogie The Shotish The Shout The Shovel The Shuffle The Sightseein' The Simon Says The Sissy Strut The Sit Down Dance The Sizzle The Ska The Skate The Skate Boogaloo The Skip The Slauson The Slide The Slime The Slip And Slide The Slop The Slop And Slide The Sloppy-Twist-A-Fish The Slosh The Slow Dance The Slow Fizz The Slow Jerk The Slow Locomotion The Slurp The Smashed Potato The Smock The Snacky Poo The Snake The Snake Hips The Snake Walk The Sosh The Soul Clap The Soul Stomp The Soul Twine The Soulful Jerk The Spanish Strut The Spanns Stomp The Spider Walk The Spin The Split The Stereo Freeze The Stomp The Stop The Stop Touch The Strand The Stretch The Stroke The Stroll The Strut The Struttin' The Stupidity The Surf The Surfer Boogie The Surfer Stomp The Surfin' Bird The Surfink The Suzie The Sway The Swim The Swing The Swish Fish The Switch The Switch-A-Roo The Switchy Walk The Tango The Tantrum The Tarzan's Monkey The Teenagers Waltz The Temptation Walk The Thaxton The Thing The Tiger The Tiger Walk The Tighten Up The Tip Toe The Train Stomp The Trot The Turkey Trot The Twine The Twirl The Twist The Twist And Freeze The Twist And Limbo The Twitch The Two-Step The Ubangi Stomp The Uncle Willie The Underdog Backstreet The Underwater The Unwind Twine The Wa-Wabble The Waddle The Wah-Watusi The Wak-A-Cha The Walk The Wallop The War Canoe The Wash The Watusi The Watusi Wussi''Wo The Weasel The Wedge The Werewolf Watusi The Whammy The Whatchama Call It The Wheel The Whip The Whiplash The Whirl The Whisk The Whoopee The Wibble The Wiggle Wobble The Wild Stomp The Wild Weekend The Wobble The Wobble Drum The Wobble Lou The Worm The Wrangler Stretch The Yo-Yo The Yuletide Jerk The Zig Zag The Zizzle The Zonk |
|
All
original material
 SixtiesCity
2007 |
