Remembering Tap Dancer Bill Bailey (1912-1978)

It has been reported that Bill Bailey was the first person in history to be recorded performing a moon walk dance step. He referred to it as the "ackslide. That movement was recorded by being featured in the film "Cabin in the Sky", a 1943 movie starring Ethel Waters, Lena Horne, and Eddie "Rochester" Anderson.

STAGE NAME: Bill Bailey
FULL NAME: William Northon Bailey
PLACE OF BIRTH: Newport News, Pennsylvania, United States
DATE OF BIRTH: December 8, 1912
DATE OF DEATH: December 12, 1978 (age 68)
PLACE OF DEATH: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
FATHER: Joseph James Bailey
MOTHER: Ella Mae Bailey
YOUNGER SISTER: Pearl Bailey
WIFE: Eddie Lee Bailey (and Pernell? and Monica?)
NUMBER OF CHILDREN: 9
BURIED: Rolling Green Memorial Park, West Chester PA

Bill Bailey in the Movies
1936: "Going Native"
1943: "Cabin in the Sky"
1955: "Rhythm and Blues Revue"

Videos of Bill Bailey Tap Dancing

Bill Bailey: Pioneer of the Moonwalk

Foot Notes on Tap "Bill Bailey" Article

My Houston Majic "Bill Bailey" Article

Wikipedia "Bill Bailey Dancer" Article