The Four Step Brothers
Encyclopedia
The Four Step Brothers were an African-American dance group. The group started out as a trio in 1925, with the original members, Maceo Anderson
, Al Williams and Red Walker. Although their original name was the Step Brothers, because that was also the name of another famous young tap dancing quartet, they subsequently changed their name to "The Three Step Brothers." In 1927, after accepting a new member, Sherman Robertson
, they became The Four Step Brothers. Dubbed "The Eight Feet of Rhythm," the group soon traveled with Duke Ellington
. While starring with the "Brothers," Anderson also appeared at the Hoofer Club and worked part-time as a newsboy.
The "Brothers" incorporated Snake Hips, Camel Walks, 5 tap Wings, Slides, Afro-Cuban Movements, Rhythm Tap, The Strut straight Acrobatics
, etc. They would not change their dance steps except to make them better or when incorporating new dancers.
The group became known for their complex dance routines, in which they frequently danced without musical accompaniment. In 1957, the "Brothers" appeared on the ABC
variety program
, The Guy Mitchell Show
. They would become one of the longest lasting dance groups, surviving for more than four decades into the 1960s.
The Dance Masters of America awarded the group with the Life Achievement award in 1960, and again in 1985 for helping to break the color barrier. In 1988, they received their own "Star" on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
.
Maceo Anderson
Maceo Anderson expressed an interest in dancing at the age of three. As a child, he used to sneak into the Lafayette Theatre to watch performances with his young friends. He and his friends would practice dance routines...
, Al Williams and Red Walker. Although their original name was the Step Brothers, because that was also the name of another famous young tap dancing quartet, they subsequently changed their name to "The Three Step Brothers." In 1927, after accepting a new member, Sherman Robertson
Sherman Robertson
Sherman Robertson is an American blues guitarist, songwriter and singer, who has been described as "one part zydeco, one part swamp blues, one part electric blues and one part classic rhythm and blues."-Biography:Robertson was born in Louisiana and raised in Houston, Texas...
, they became The Four Step Brothers. Dubbed "The Eight Feet of Rhythm," the group soon traveled with Duke Ellington
Duke Ellington
Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was an American composer, pianist, and big band leader. Ellington wrote over 1,000 compositions...
. While starring with the "Brothers," Anderson also appeared at the Hoofer Club and worked part-time as a newsboy.
The "Brothers" incorporated Snake Hips, Camel Walks, 5 tap Wings, Slides, Afro-Cuban Movements, Rhythm Tap, The Strut straight Acrobatics
Acrobatics
Acrobatics is the performance of extraordinary feats of balance, agility and motor coordination. It can be found in many of the performing arts, as well as many sports...
, etc. They would not change their dance steps except to make them better or when incorporating new dancers.
The group became known for their complex dance routines, in which they frequently danced without musical accompaniment. In 1957, the "Brothers" appeared on the ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
variety program
Variety show
A variety show, also known as variety arts or variety entertainment, is an entertainment made up of a variety of acts, especially musical performances and sketch comedy, and normally introduced by a compère or host. Other types of acts include magic, animal and circus acts, acrobatics, juggling...
, The Guy Mitchell Show
The Guy Mitchell Show
The Guy Mitchell Show is a short-lived half-hour television variety program hosted by and starring 30-year-old recording artist Guy Mitchell , which was broadcast from October 7, 1957, to January 13, 1958. The series aired on Monday evenings at 8 p.m. Eastern time on ABC following a half-hour...
. They would become one of the longest lasting dance groups, surviving for more than four decades into the 1960s.
The Dance Masters of America awarded the group with the Life Achievement award in 1960, and again in 1985 for helping to break the color barrier. In 1988, they received their own "Star" on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Hollywood Walk of Fame
The Hollywood Walk of Fame consists of more than 2,400 five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars embedded in the sidewalks along fifteen blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street in Hollywood, California...
.