Have put the vid here for you Katty Hope you don't mind.

I enjoyed it katty

Oh Fab! I learned about Cab Calloway through his appearance  on  the "Blues Brothers".He reprised his "Minnie the moocher" in that film.Such a feckin' talent! also the Nicholas Brothers.Bloody shame ! They were greats!

Can you ever imagine if a couple of guys danced like that now...the tV channels would be foaming at the mouth trying to sign them up etc..these guys did that over 60 years ago!,,,feck right off!

Love it even though I can't hear it.    No sound on my lappy.  I can imagine exactly how it sounds.

Some may think that talent only belongs to recent era's. When I was a kid my mother worked at the local cinema, she knew I loved Hollywood musicals so got me in free when she thought it was a film I'd like because she knew I loved music and dance. I saw so many great films and amazing dancers like Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Syd Charisse, etc, etc, so many etc's lol Their style of dance may not be popular now, as also in the Cab Calloway style etc but there really were some amazing performers in years past.


Personally over the last few years I've always totally enjoyed Michael Jackson's dance routines, but can also appreciate dance groups like Diversity

Ah yes yellow Rose,you mention some great dancers there,but they were white.I was trying  to state that there were  better  black dancers then.Even Fred Astair said that the Nicholas brothers were the "greatest dancers ever"

However at that time they couldn't shine as much as they would now.

And this!..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxZcLWAmdco&NR=1

I understand what you're saying Katty. Sadly there came an era in Hollywood when black artists were so discriminated against despite their talent. When Nat King Cole was given a tv show his skin was lightened through make up, pretty silly as it was obvious he was black. So many black artists at that time suffered persecution both personally and professionally, how sad was that for those who had true talent and had to suffer so much persecution just because they were black.


Sammy Davis was also just one of many, and he like others kept trying, not all succeeded in winning the race war on tv/film but he was one who did. MJ wrote a tribute song for him at an award ceremony where Sammy was present and in the last few months of his life before dying from cancer.

Personally whether MJ was liked or not isn't the issue, for me the message in his song to Sammy, who fought through so much discrimnation as did others, was that those like Sammy helped paved the way for black artists to be accepted and appreciated for the talents they had/have

That was a lovely tribute by MJ. first time I've come across it. 
o/p made me feel sad again that MJ is gone

Just an obtuse comment
Discrimination why do it anybody, we are all people, living our lives,
doing our best for all of our tribes.

So true,Sammy Davis Jnr,referred to himself as a "One eyed black Jew".He did push the boundaries back,but I did read as part of the Sinatra "Rat Pack" he was the most discriminated against etc.Actually refused rooms at the top hotels in Vegas even though he was in the shows there,shocking.

I don't know the history of Sammy, but I might try to find out now.

Yes MJ is missed by so many around the world, including me, but most of all I'm sure by his family

YR of course.
I only ever saw hin in concert once, let alone really know him, I admired from afar.

Yes thankfully for him Sammy had the kind of personality that was always positive despite all that was thrown at him through either personal circumstances or others.

As the only black member of the Rat Pack yes he suffered more than the others. His home was attacked and daubed on by the ignorants of this world just because he was black. I admire him and so many others for coming through all the prejudice so that we could witness their talent, and enjoy it.

I'm so glad I had ther opportunity of seeing him at Wembley some years ago, a memorable night for me. I've loved his music for years, it's always made me happy, and as I love dance I've enjoyed many moments through dancing to his music  I guess only close family and friends can say they truly knew him but I like to think that what I knew about him I understood as much as I could from a distance. I've no judgement of him, I just thank him for all he shared musically with so many that brought enjoyment.

never thought about it from that point about SD
it is hard fighting against discrimination, even now

But I want to discriminate against chavs. 

Especially the ones who live in a flat very close to me and make our lives a misery at times. 

Thanks for the vid Real, I can't hear it either, but looking at it took me straight back 30 years ago to Bourbon Street, New Orleans.  All the fantastic blues clubs  *sighs*

I can remember watching the Nicholas Brothers on TV when I was a kid....