In 1955 the troupe disbanded and Frankie hung up his dancing shoes and began to work at the post office. It wasn’t until after the war in 1947, when Frankie decided to create another performance troupe ‘The Congaroos’ to showcase the Lindy Hop. The troupe disbanded during WWII and Frankie himself served in the US Military. In 1935 Frankie became part of Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers & lead & choreographed the first professional Lindy Hop troupe who toured around the world and appeared in several films such as Hellzapoppin – Dancing starts at 2.43min and Day at the Races (View links here and here). In 1935 he and his partner Frieda Washington created the first air step during a competition against Shorty Snowden George who was the inventor of the term ‘Lindy Hop’ and since then ‘air steps’ or ‘aerials’ have been a vital part of Lindy Hop. Frankie frequented the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem in the 1930’s & became one of the top dancers and competitors.
Probably the most famous swing dancer of them all these days is Mr Frankie Manning. Known as the ambassador of Lindy Hop, and a vital character in the swing dance world, Frankie’s radiant spirit lives throughout our classes & community.
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