16-563: Cholly is a given name or nickname that may refer to: Cholly Atkins (1913–2003), American dancer and choreographer Cholly Knickerbocker , pseudonym Cholly Naranjo (1934–2022), Cuban baseball pitcher Cholly, a Chalicotherium in Ice Age 2: The Meltdown [REDACTED] Name list This page or section lists people that share the same given name . If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change that link to point directly to
32-482: A bubblegum music group, in 1969. The Cadillacs were back in 1970 with J. R. Bailey, Bobby Spencer, original member Bobby Phillips (who had retired from Speedo's group during the split), and new member Leroy Binns, of The Charts. Stephen Brown later replaced Phillips. The group split into the mid-1970s. In 1979, Earl Carroll, Earl Wade, Bobby Phillips, and Johnny Brown came together for two Subaru commercials in which they sang, " Cadillac drives Subaru ," as part of
48-724: A 1993 National Endowment for the Arts three-year fellowship to tour colleges and universities teaching vocal choreography. He continued to teach dance in Las Vegas until February 2003. Diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in March 2003, Atkins died of the cancer several weeks later on April 19, 2003, in Las Vegas, Nevada . He was 89. Marriages The Cadillacs The Cadillacs were an American rock and roll and doo-wop group from Harlem, New York , active from 1953 to 1962. The group
64-536: A new group, Speedo and the Pearls, which recorded briefly in 1959. In 1959, the Cadillacs were also featured in the movie Go Johnny, Go . The group split and re-formed in 1960, with Carroll, Martinez, Kirk Davis, and bass Ronnie Bright . Later the group was Carroll, Martinez, the returning Bobby Spencer, Milton Love, and Reggie Barnes. Martinez, Love and Barnes were all members of The Solitares at one time. In 1961,
80-517: The Apollo Theater in Harlem , New York . Atkins and Coles toured extensively nationally and internationally, performing in showcases with major jazz and swing bands, including those led by Louis Armstrong , Charlie Barnet , Count Basie , Cab Calloway , and Lionel Hampton . The pair also performed from 1949 to 1952 on Broadway in the stage 4 production, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes . In
96-546: The " My Boy Lollipop " pop song shuffle for Barbie Gaye, which was played by Alan Freed and secured Barbie Gaye a spot in his 1956 Christmas Show opening for Little Richard . In 1964, an Ernest Ranglin produced ska version of the song became a multi-million seller for Jamaican teenager Millie Small and made producer Chris Blackwell rich, leading to further development of his Island Records label. The other four current members - Carroll, Wade, Brooks, and Phillips - continued recording separately, later as Earl Carroll and
112-558: The 1980s. He choreographed for non-Motown artists as well, namely the dance routines of The Cadillacs in the 1950s, and the Sylvers , as well as The O'Jays during the mid-1970s, appearing with them on an episode of Soul Train . He also worked with Detroit rock band DC Drive and is featured in the "You Need Love" video. In 1989, Atkins received a Tony Award for choreographing the Broadway show Black and Blue . He also accepted
128-537: The Cadillacs. Bailey's group also included former group saxophonist Jesse "Tex" Powell, and recorded in early 1958 as Jesse Powell and the Caddys. Both groups recorded simultaneously on Josie Records. Later in 1958, the groups combined back into one. Carroll's backup vocalists, Wade, Brooks, and Phillips, all decided to retire and Carroll joined Bailey, Drake, Martinez and Spencer. Carroll's lead spot had been given to Spencer and Bailey, and he left shortly thereafter, creating
144-787: The group began to resemble The Coasters in their music. The lineup shifted again, now with Carroll, Martinez, Curtis Williams, Ray Brewster, and Irving Lee Gail. Carroll was out by 1962 to enter the group they'd been emulating, The Coasters, with Carl Gardner , Billy Guy , and Will "Dub" Jones . 1963 also ended the group's run on Josie Records. Brewster and Martinez brought in former members Bobby Spencer and J. R. Bailey and continued to record through 1963. The group split, with Bailey joining The Jive Five . Brewster brought in former Cadillac/Solitare Milton Love with Solitares Bobby Baylor and Fred Barksdale. This group recorded briefly in 1964. Spencer became lead vocalist, with Joey Levine ( Ohio Express , Reunion ) as backing vocalist, for Crazy Elephant ,
160-646: The group's biggest hit, "Speedoo", Carroll's nickname. Lavern Drake left the group in 1956 and was replaced by J. R. Bailey . That same year the Cadillacs released a doo-wop version of " Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer " that peaked at No. 11 on Billboard magazine's Rhythm & Blues Records chart. In 1957 differences in opinion caused the group to split. One group was initially known as The Four Cadillacs, with current bass J. R. Bailey, former bass Lavern Drake, and new members Roland Martinez and Bobby Spencer. The previous year, Bobby Spencer had written
176-415: The intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cholly&oldid=1157802449 " Category : Given names Hidden categories: Articles with short description Short description is different from Wikidata All set index articles Cholly Atkins Charles "Cholly" Atkins (born Charles Sylvan Atkinson ; September 13, 1913 – April 19, 2003)
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#1732780263009192-542: The mid-1950s, Cholly began teaching dance steps to the Cadillacs , Shirelles , Moonglows , Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers , Little Anthony & The Imperials , and other vocal groups. His dance steps were a new style coined "vocal choreography", as singers enhanced their vocal performances with stylish combinations of gestures and steps. After working as a freelance choreographer in 1962 for The Miracles , Atkins
208-470: Was added as a fifth member, and the name "The Cadillacs" was given to them. The group's first recording came in July 1954, with Josie Records #765, featuring " Gloria " and "I Wonder Why." In 1955, Willingham and Clark left the group and were replaced by Earl Wade and Charles Brooks. At this time, the group first began to experiment with choreography , suggested by manager Esther Navarro. Later that year came
224-504: Was an American dancer and vaudeville performer, who later became noted as the house choreographer for the various artists on the label Motown . Born in Pratt City, Alabama , Cholly began dancing in the late 1930s before his military service in 1942 during World War II . Upon leaving the U.S. Army, he first found fame as one-half of Atkins & Coles , a top vaudeville dance act with partner Charles "Honi" Coles , debuting at
240-488: Was hired by Berry Gordy to work as a Motown choreographer in 1964, and set about developing the routines that would later become the trademark moves of other Motown acts like The Supremes , The Temptations (Atkins was also featured in the video for their hit single " Lady Soul "), The Four Tops , The Marvelettes , Gladys Knight & the Pips and others. Atkins would, in fact, continue working with Motown artists well into
256-399: Was noted for their 1955 hit " Speedoo ", written by Esther Navarro, which was instrumental in attracting white audiences to black rock and roll performers. The group came together as The Carnations in 1953, with the members Earl Carroll (lead vocalist), Bobby Phillips, Lavern Drake (bass vocalist), and Gus Willingham. As the group moved into the recording studios, James "Poppa" Clark
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