Fascinating Rhythm-Gregory Hines by Mary Morrison

I suppose the notion that only the good die young makes as much sense as thinking only elders possess wisdom, but when dancer, singer, director and actor Gregory Oliver Hines died at the age of 57 in 2003, it was the first thought I had — too young to die, too many moments of joy and transcendence we will never get to revel in. He did indeed rise to the level of Duende — a distinctive, rich singing voice touched with melancholy and yearning, over-the-top-and-back Tap dancing, and both comedic and sophisticated acting skills.

My seeing Gregory Hines perform on an 1985 episode of Evening at Pops, conducted by John Williams, was when I first knew he had It. He was in his prime. The only clip from that show available to the public is Rhythm is My Business, but it captures his style, humor, skill and energy that is so thrilling to watch. The musicians, John Williams and the audience were bewitched.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jD7aEopAJo

Tap has gone in and out of fashion over the years and although Tap definitely never died, the vaudeville venues for performers did. Yet, dancing of all kinds, including Tap, never disappeared from films —it flourished in everything from Swing Time, Dirty Dancing, Fame, Billy Elliot, Stomp the Yard to White Nights, La La Land, Singing in the Rain, On the Town and Happy Feet. And there are so many dancers that rise to the level of magic— Fred Astaire, Eleanor Powell, Ginger Rogers, Ann Miller, Gene Kelly, Savon Glover, Josephine Baker, John W. Bubbles, Donald O’Connor and…