Cholly Atkins
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Cholly Atkins | |
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Choreographer, dancer | |
| Spouses | Catherine Williams
(m. 1936; div. 1944)Dottie Saulters
(m. 1944; died 1962)Maye Harrison (before 2003) |
| Awards | |
Charles "Cholly" Atkins (born Charles Sylvan Atkinson; September 13, 1913 – April 19, 2003)
Biography
Born in
Broadway in the stage 4 production, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.[4]
In the mid-1950s, Cholly began teaching dance steps to the
The Four Tops, The Marvelettes, Gladys Knight & the Pips and others.[7] Atkins would, in fact, continue working with Motown artists well into the 1980s. He choreographed for non-Motown artists as well, namely the dance routines of The Cadillacs in the 1950s, and the Sylvers, as well as The O'Jays during the mid-1970s, appearing with them on an episode of Soul Train.[8][9]
He also worked with Detroit rock band DC Drive and is featured in the "You Need Love" video.
In 1989, Atkins received a
Tony Award for choreographing the Broadway show Black and Blue. He also accepted a 1993 National Endowment for the Arts
three-year fellowship to tour colleges and universities teaching vocal choreography. He continued to teach dance in Las Vegas until February 2003.
Death
Diagnosed with
Las Vegas, Nevada
. He was 89.
Family
Marriages
- Atkins married Catherine Gayle Williams (maiden; born 1914) November 27, 1936, in Los Angeles. They were divorced in 1944. She had been a dancer at the chorus line of Cotton Club productions. After leaving show business in 1942, Williams went on to earn a master's degree in Social Work from the University of Iowaand has had a distinguished career in Iowa in social work.
- 1932: Des Moines
- 1980: Williams was inducted into the Iowa Women's Hall of Fame
- November 21, 2014: Williams was honored by the Iowa House of Representatives for her life's work and in celebration of her 100th birthday[10]
- 1932:
- Atkins married Dorothy ("Dottie") Lee Saulters (maiden; 1922–1962) September 2, 1944, in Honi Coles from 1936 to 1944; Coles had been a longtime dance partner in shows with Atkins, and continued to perform with Atkins[11]
- Atkins married Maye Ollie Harrison (1918–2004) and remained married to her until his death.
References
General
- Douglas Martin (April 23, 2003). "Cholly Atkins, 89, Dancer and Choreographer". New York Times. Retrieved August 13, 2008.
- Lewis Segal (2003-04-23). "Cholly Atkins, 89; Tap Dancer, Motown Stars' Choreographer". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2015-09-03.
Inline
- OCLC 5104947759. Retrieved January 28, 2019.
- ^ "Alabama Hall of Music | Charles "Cholly" Atkins". Archived from the original on February 22, 2011. Retrieved January 28, 2019.
- ^ Martin, Douglas (April 23, 2003). "Cholly Atkins, 89, Dancer and Choreographer". The New York Times. New York. Archived from the original on June 8, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
- ^ "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes - Broadway Musical - Original". IBDB.com. Internet Broadway Database.
- ^ "American Dance Legends - Charles "Cholly" Atkins". Retrieved January 28, 2019.
- ^ Pastoria, Brian (December 22, 2010). "The Legendary... Incomparable Cholly Pops Atkins". UDetroit. Archived from the original on January 28, 2015. Retrieved January 28, 2019.
- ^ "A tribute to Cholly "POPS" Atkins". Archived from the original on January 28, 2015. Retrieved January 28, 2019.
- ^ LEWIS, SEGAL (April 23, 2003). "Cholly Atkins, 89; Tap Dancer, Motown Stars' Choreographer". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
- ^ Train, Soul (October 11, 1975). "The O'Jays practice a dance routine with choreographer Cholly Atkins on Soul Train". gettyimages.co.uk. Getty Images. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
The O'Jays practice a dance routine with choreographer Cholly Atkins (Charlie Atkins/Charles Atkins) on Soul Train episode 153, aired 10/11/1975. (Photo by Soul Train via Getty Images).
- ^ House Resolution 19 – Honoring Catherine Gayle Williams (Iowa State House Resolution 19). November 21, 2014.
- OCLC 974087440.
External links
- Cholly Atkins at the Internet Broadway Database
- Cholly Atkins at IMDb
- Finding aid to the Cholly Atkins collection at Columbia University. Rare Book & Manuscript Library.
Selected videos
- Over the Top To Be-Bop on
- Swing is Really The Thing on YouTube, Colesand Atkins (dance duet) (recording date unknown)
- (alternative link - better resolution on YouTube)
- Willie Bryant, announcer; accompanied by the Apollo Theater house band (the Paul Williams Band); Paul "Hucklebuck" Williams is in the checked jacket on bari sax
- (alternative link - better resolution on
- Interview with Charlie Atkins: The O'Jays Rehearsal on
- The Sylvers performing "Boogie Fever" on YouTube[dead link], and discussing Cholly Atkins' choreography of the number
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