Joey Hollingsworth

Joey Hollingsworth
Born 1937 (age 79–80)[1]
Residence Hamilton, Ontario[1]
Home town London, Ontario[2]
Spouse(s) Dolina[1]
Dances Tap

Joey Hollingsworth is a Black Canadian tap dancer, singer, and conga player who has performed on stage and screen throughout the world.[1] He appeared regularly on Canadian television shows from the 1950s through the 1970s.[3]

Hollingsworth, an adoptee, began dancing at the age of three, and turned professional at age five.[1] In the early 1950s, Hollingsworth became the first black man to appear on CBC television, as a competitor on Pick the Stars. He did not win, and learned years later from one of the judges that racism had influenced the outcome.[1]

In 1962, Hollingsworth sang and tap-danced on the live album At the Purple Onion, with guitarist Lenny Breau and vocalist Don Francks.[4][5]

In 1997, Hollingsworth was cast in the lead role of Hot Mikado, a musical comedy based on The Mikado by Gilbert and Sullivan. He described the experience as "the thrill of a lifetime."[2]

Toward the end of his career, Hollingsworth worked in Dawson City on shows for the Palace Grand Theatre and Diamond Tooth Gertie's Gambling Hall.[2]

Hollingsworth's television appearances have included The Ed Sullivan Show,[6] the Wayne and Shuster Show, The Tennessee Ernie Ford Show,[2] and Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.[7]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Belanger, Joe (February 26, 2015). "London performer Joey Hollingsworth’s career slowed by racism". The London Free Press. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Belanger, Joe (May 6, 2014). "Aberdeen elementary school’s famous son returns for bittersweet centenary". The London Free Press. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  3. ↑ Belanger, Joe (March 1, 2015). "Joey Hollingsworth’s dancing took him to world stages". The London Free Press. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  4. ↑ Carlson, Russell (March 2005). "Lenny Breau/Don Francks/Eon Henstridge: At the Purple Onion". JazzTimes. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  5. ↑ Forbes-Roberts, Ron (2006). One Long Tune: The Life and Music of Lenny Breau. University of North Texas Press. p. 282. ISBN 9781574412109. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  6. ↑ Inman, David M. (November 16, 2005). Television Variety Shows: Histories and Episode Guides to 57 Programs. McFarland. p. 100. ISBN 9780786421985. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  7. ↑ Long, Michael (Mar 13, 2015). Peaceful Neighbor: Discovering the Countercultural Mister Rogers. Westminster John Knox Press. p. 91. ISBN 9781611645699. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
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