During the early to mid-1960s the best soul dance scene in America was in Chicago.
People were shaking it up to “The Monkey Time” by Major Lance, “Bossa Nova Bird” by the Dells, Dee Clark’s “Crossfire Time” and many others. These tunes helped birth the “Soul Train” television series and some are revisited in the acclaimed “Chicago’s Golden Soul (A ‘60s Revue)” currently at the Black Ensemble Theater, 4450 N. Clark.
Chicago was good as gold to Perry Craig Kanlan, a.k.a. “Dancin’ Man.”
“Dancin’ Man” doesn’t dance anymore. He has arthritis in his knees. He recently had brain surgery for lesions. He is facing eviction from his Marina City apartment, crammed with racks of stage outfits and 4,380 record albums. Kanlan hobbles around his 725-square foot apartment with steps measured in another time.
Kanlan turns 71 on Feb. 28.
Dancin’ Man has no immediate relatives aside from one younger sister who is in poor health. He is afraid his lifetime of memories will soon be cast onto State Street. Chicago has been his dancing partner and now the turntables will be turned as a benefit for Kanlan takes place at 7 p.m. Feb. 25 in the House of Blues Foundation Room. ($10 donation.) Old school vinyl will be spun, followed by Andrea McNeal and the Hip City Band. Expect guest performers. Dancin’ Man will be in attendance.
Kanlan may have slowed down physically but he hasn’t lost a step of moxie. He says he gave the Jackson 5 some early pointers.
“In 1966 I was going to do my James Brown at (the high school) Gilroy Stadium in Gary, Indiana and we couldn’t find any records,” he says during a conversation in his 725-square foot apartment. “We saw this young family group and asked them if they could play James Brown. They said, ‘Yeah’,’” and they backed me up including Michael. Everyone said the Jackson 5 were another 5 Stairsteps. (Of “Ooh Child” fame) I have one of the only pictures of the Jackson 5 with the 5 Stairsteps. I visited with the Jacksons in 2012 when they were at the Star Plaza. Me and Tito (Jackson) are tight.
“Let me tell you, the ‘Moonwalk’ is nothing but the ‘Camelwalk’ in reverse.”
Kanlan has hundreds of pictures of him with actor Pam Grier, Lola Falana, James Brown and others. He was the original “Dancing With The Stars.” And he danced on “Soul Train.”
This year is the 50th anniversary of the Martha Reeves & The Vandellas hit “Dancin’ in the Street.” Of course “Dancin’ Man” danced with the Vandellas.
“For the last 30 years he would show up at my shows whenever I appeared in Chicago,” Reeves said Friday in a call from Detroit. “He’d often be with Tony Wilson (they had a “Night and Day,” act, with Wilson being black and Kanlan being white.) They’d come on my stage and dance. They’d do acrobatics. He was ‘Dancin’ Boy’ then. He was always a snappy dresser. I’m sorry to hear about his problems. I pray that he gets settled in a new place.”
Read More About Kanlan Here: http://voices.suntimes.com/arts-entertainment/music/dancin-man-with-the-stars/
Source: voices.suntimes / MJ-Upbeat.com
Michael Jackson is without a doubt the king. Anytime i listen to his tracks i feel like he is still alive. For sure one of the biggest music stars ever been born!