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| Frankie Manning |
**This is my personal notes during the studying of Swing Dancing
Frankie Manning, the leading figure that helped shape Lindy Hop as we know it today, was a star at Harlem's Savoy Ballroom back in the mid-1930s. He had performed as the head dancer and choreographer in many Hollywood films and in theatres all over the world with the like of Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald and Cab Calloway. He stopped dancing and worked a normal life for years until 1980s. He returned and led to a great renaissance in his dancing career.
He then travelled the world and shared his enthusiasm and passion about swing dancing. The talent made him a household name in the worldwide Lindy Hop community, and he inspired others. The legacy of Frankie's thrives today- Lindy Hop and swing was kicked off in Perth upon the arrival of Roger Schmidlin from Zurich and Janet Tolifson from Phoenix.
Frankie Manning was a star of a dance and an originator. His saying 'I got that move from you- I just improved it!' encouraged people to think more. But despite being a true superstar of his day, he expressed a lifelong regret that the world didn't acknowledge Lindy Hop as it did other dance styles. Maybe the best way to honour a great dancer and a great dance would be seriously studying the dance, and of course, dance it more.
part 1 - Frankie Manning (you are here)
part 2 - Norma Miller
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