Description

John W Bubbles was the ultimate songanddance man A groundbreaking tap dancer he provided inspiration to Fred Astaire Eleanor Powell and the Nicholas Brothers His vaudeville team Buck and Bubbles captivated theater audiences for more than thirty years Most memorably in the role of Sportin Life he stole the show in the original production of Gershwins Porgy and Bess in the process crafting a devilish alter ego that would follow him through life

He shared countless stages with the likes of Duke Ellington Cab Calloway and Ella Fitzgerald Some of his disciples believed his rhythmic ideas had a formative impact on jazz itself In later years he made a comeback as a TV personality revving up the talk shows of Steve Allen and Johnny Carson and playing comic foil to Bob Hope Judy Garland and Lucille Ball Finally after a massive stroke ended his dancing career he made a second comeback complete with acclaimed performances from his wheelchair as a living legend inspiring a new generation of entertainers

His biggest obstacle was the same one blocking the path of every other Black performer of his time unrelenting institutionalized racism Yet Bubbles was an entertainer of the old school fierce and indestructible In this compelling and deeply researched biography his dramatic story is told for the first time