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Collection of Original Lindy Hoppers

Everyone Should Know!

 

There are so many dancers that are important to know from the original days of the Lindy Hop. Here are 20 that “Swungover*” believes every beginner dancer should know (but there are MANY MORE!).

Frankie Manning

From “Swungover*” (click the link to see videos from many of the names below)

The 20 (Okay, there are more than 20) dancers are:

1. Shorty George
2. “Big” Bea
3. Frankie Manning
4. Ann Johnson
5. Jewel McGowan
6. Dean Collins
7. Leon James
8. Norma Miller
9. “Snookie” Beasely
10. Willa Mae Ricker
11. George Greenidge (invented a lot of the Lindy Charleston moves)
12. Arthur Walsh
13. Jean Veloz
14. Lenny Smith
15. Al Minns
16. Pepsi Bethel
17. Irene Thomas
18. William Downes
19. Mickey Jones
20. Hal Takier
21. Betty Takier
22. Gil Brady

Other dancers mentioned are Ella Gibson, Sugar Sullivan, Alice Scott & Chuck Saggau — all also good dancers in their own right. Sugar still teaches today.