Joey Hollingsworth

Joey Hollingsworth is a Black Canadian tap dancer, singer, and conga player who has performed on stage and screen throughout the world.[1] He appeared regularly on Canadian television shows from the 1950s through the 1970s.[3]

Joey Hollingsworth
Born1937 (age 82–83)[1]
Home townLondon, Ontario[2]
Spouse(s)Dolina[1]
DancesTap

Hollingsworth, an adoptee, began dancing at the age of three, and turned professional at age five.[1] Hollingsworth was listed as being 10 years old when he was Page One news in The Free Press on Nov. 23, 1946.[4] The story told of his backstage meeting with dance legend Bill (Bojangles) Robinson the previous night (Nov. 22, 1946) at the old London Arena (since demolished).

"Let's see you do a little step," Robinson told the youngster. "Say, son, that's great. Where did you learn that?" Robinson said after the young Joey offered a few steps. "Saw you do it up on stage there," Joey replied.

The two spent about 10 minutes together with Bojangles offering the future star "about $500 worth of dancing lessons for free," The Free Press reported.

In the early 1950s, Hollingsworth became the first black man to appear on CBC television, as a competitor on Pick the Stars. He did not win, and learned years later from one of the judges that racism had influenced the outcome.[1]

In 1962, Hollingsworth sang and tap-danced on the live album At the Purple Onion, with guitarist Lenny Breau and vocalist Don Francks.[5][6]

In 1997, Hollingsworth was cast in the lead role of Hot Mikado, a musical comedy based on The Mikado by Gilbert and Sullivan. He described the experience as "the thrill of a lifetime."[2]

Toward the end of his career, Hollingsworth worked in Dawson City on shows for the Palace Grand Theatre and Diamond Tooth Gertie's Gambling Hall.[2]

Hollingsworth's television appearances have included The Ed Sullivan Show,[7] the Wayne and Shuster Show, The Tennessee Ernie Ford Show,[2] and Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.[8]

Hollingsworth was inducted into the Jack Richardson Music Hall Of Fame on April 9, 2017. His on-stage performance that night at the London Music Hall peaked with his signature "spin move" as the song Mr. Bojangles was played and an image of Hollingsworth making the same move earlier in his career was projected on a screen behind him.[9]

References
  1. Belanger, Joe (February 26, 2015). "London performer Joey Hollingsworth's career slowed by racism". The London Free Press. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  2. Belanger, Joe (May 6, 2014). "Aberdeen elementary school's famous son returns for bittersweet centenary". The London Free Press. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  3. Belanger, Joe (March 1, 2015). "Joey Hollingsworth's dancing took him to world stages". The London Free Press. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  4. "Joey Meets Bojangles Himself". The London Evening Free Press. November 23, 1946.
  5. Carlson, Russell (March 2005). "Lenny Breau/Don Francks/Eon Henstridge: At the Purple Onion". JazzTimes. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  6. Forbes-Roberts, Ron (2006). One Long Tune: The Life and Music of Lenny Breau. University of North Texas Press. p. 282. ISBN 9781574412109. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  7. Inman, David M. (November 16, 2005). Television Variety Shows: Histories and Episode Guides to 57 Programs. McFarland. p. 100. ISBN 9780786421985. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  8. Long, Michael (Mar 13, 2015). Peaceful Neighbor: Discovering the Countercultural Mister Rogers. Westminster John Knox Press. p. 91. ISBN 9781611645699. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  9. "Jack Richardson London Music Awards Inductees".
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