History of Locking Locking Or Campbellocking Is a Dance Art Form with Improvisational Steps Called the Locks
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History of Locking Locking or Campbellocking is a dance art form with improvisational steps called the locks. These steps were created by Don Campbell in the nightclubs of Los Angeles in the early 1970s. This dance and subculture quickly caught on and was soon the rage of a new television dance show called Soul Train. Individual dancers displayed quick locking and pointing movements along with hand slaps and splits. Don Campbell along with dancers like Greg “Campbell Jr” Pope, Jimmy “Scooby doo” Foster, Fred “Mr. Penguin” Berry ( AKA Rerun) The Go-Go- Brothers (Tony Lewis and Edwin “Buddy” Lombard), James “Skeeter Rabbit” Higgins, Leo “Fluky Luke” Williamson, Johnny “Sambo Lock” McCloud,Damita Jo Freeman, Charles “Robot” Washington, Bill “Slim Robot” Williams,Alpha Anderson and several other old school originals would meet in nightclubs like, ” The Citadel” in Hollywood, The Summit on the Hill or Mavericks Flats and share steps and moves. Don initiated and emphasized the improvisational movement of “Campbellocking.” Don “Campbellock” Campbell early soul Train Line Don and his partner, Damita Jo Freeman toured with the Soul Train Gang. Shortly after, Don comprised a group of improvisational solo style locking dancers (Each dancer would step out do his solo and step back in line) comprised of Don Campbell, Fred “Mr. Penguin” Berry, Charles Robot, Slim Robot and Sambo Lock. They were called the “ Campbellock Dancers“. During that time, Greg Campbell Jr. Pope Scooby doo Foster, Leo Fluky Luke, Tony and Buddy Go-Go and Skeeter Rabbit created steps that were performed in unison. A movement towards group dancing was taking place in Watts, California. In 1972 The Go-Go brothers (Tony and Buddy along with the Original Skeeter Rabbitt & Kevin YoYo ) combined to form the first synchronized locking dance group; performing skits and routines in both large arenas as well as small high school functions. In late 1972, early 1973 Scooby Doo and Greg Campbellock Jr. combined with the Go- Go Brothers (Tony & Buddy), Skeeter Rabbitt (OG) and with female lockers Arnetta Johnson, Fredy Maxie, Lorna Dune & Shelly Cepeda formed the first unisex Locking group called, “Creative Generation“. This group studied dance, taught, performed and toured as members of the Legendary Watts Writers Workshop. Later that summer, Don Campbell organized and introduced the group, “THE LOCKERS”( originally named the campbellock dancers after his first group). This was one of the most dynamic, influential groups in the history of the dance, comprising both improvisational dancers and synchronized dancers. Greg Cambellock Jr. introduced to the group, synchronized locking choreography (from his Creative Generation experience, at the Watts Writers Workshop). Him along with Don Campbell, “Slim Robot”, Fred “Rerun” Berry, Fluky Luke, Chorographer Toni Basil, and a young new talent Adolfo “Shabba Doo” Quinones. The artform was revealed to the world. During the groups existence, in the early 70’s. Other OG dancers such as Tony Go-Go and The Original Skeeter Rabbitt were added or toured with the Lockers Group. Also, during the early period other urban groups such as 33RPM and the Ghetto Dancers were also formed (see acknowledgement page). These were comprised of various combinations of other old school locking (dancers) pioneers. This set off a dance phenomenon now spreading from the Los Angeles inner city to the once segregated Suburbs, and eventually across the Country. Other groups, promoters, dancers and managers flooded the scene quickly after. Some were driven by the love, facination and respect for the artform. Others simply ignored any foundatition and only disired to exploit it. These dancers and groups were known by the real street sub-culture simply as “SLOP lockers”. Note: These groups and individules quickly clammered to exploit not just the artform of locking but it’s entire culture and roots. Many renamed steps and plagerized entire taped routines. Some never learned the internal rules of the sub-culture. They never learned or inquired about the brotherhood which made locking great. They only attemped to capitalize, exploit and alter the history of locking. Many don’t understand what the History &; background has to do with the dance of Locking, Many wonder why it just can’t be a show or circus act..WATCH this video (BELOW) and see what the inspiration was and still is for those that KEEP IT REALBy 1973 there were an excess of pioneers known as Original lockers who made their name and reputations in the urban communities and night clubs. Not just the few known as members of ”The Lockers Group”. Dancers Like Guy “Shocklock” Evans, Jeffery “Cat Man” Macintire, F&M, Roy “Lie Lock”, ”Sneaky T”, Enock “Elmer Fudd”, John “Okiedoke” Wilson ”Elmer Fud’ Smith (RIP), , Steve “Sinbad” Crane, Arnetta “Nettabug” Johnson,Greg “Capt Crunch” Dandridge, Fredi Maxie and several others. There were many who danced as members of the group “The Lockers” and many more who are refered to as Lockers by virtue of the dance of locking, which they have represented In 1974 Jimmy “Scoobydoo Foster toured with a group called “Something Special’ introducing Locking along with various other dances internationally , into Japan, By 1975 the artform had evolved both socially and professionally and in the late 1970’s, “The Original Lockers Group disbanded” and a third generation was formed in the mid 1980’s, adding old school pioneer “Alpha“Anderson,(who created the alpha floor move) along with old schoolers from the mid 70s, Lewis “Deputy” Green, Lionel “Big D” Douglas“and Anna “Lollipop” Sanchez, this formed the third generation “LOCKERS” Group. In the mid 1970’s Jimmy Scooby do Foster and a Group called something special was the first to internationally expose Asia to Locking along with other Cultural social dances. By the mid 1980’s, Tony Go-Go Lewis established a school re-introducing the locking dance art in Japan. Today, there is a wave of interest to know and understand the history and sub-culture of a true dance phenomenon all over the world. By no means were these the only groups or contributors ( There are so many) to this dance and subculture that helped to form the multi style and cultures of today’s hip hop History of anything begans with an inspiration and an action, The inspiration of the artform came from a struggle of a people, the and action was put into place by Don Campbell, The early history stims from this one person through a group of early contributors to a specific area at a specific time in history,The innercity of South central Los Angeles, Watts & Compton California will always be that inception point in history, the issues surrounding those times will always be the inspiration.from there it insited a streetdance movement with purpose and pride. Today when one speaks of Locking history it can include many points of exposure to the style and all create an ever expanding chapter Many thanks to Don Campbell and the many other Old and New School pioneers. Many ask why can’t Locking just be an act like the circus, why can’t it just be entertainment , well it can be entertainment, but not like clowns, or minstril , it means much more check out the video below, soul and funk music linked to what the influences was that made this dance great NOTICE: When you register as a member of our messageboard, please send us an email at [email protected] . Include your login name and your e-mail address so that we can activate your account and you can help us eliminate the spam logins Please send all comments on our articles to: [email protected] The Steps & Moves Of Locking Lockerlegends has often been told that moves created by pioneers other than Don Campbell should not be associated with Locking, We find that amazing, as all over the world people are teaching and doing the basic moves that they have seen the Pioneers do for decades, Take a look at this locking tutorial posted in Japan and you tell us What are they teaching ? and where did these moves come from ? What is also sad, is to read the comments posted on YouTube about this video, it is obvious that the heritage and background is not really being taught ! Tell us what you think ! THE FOUNDATION Many People are confused about what steps and moves make up what we know as The Original Foundation of locking, Where and how were they developed ? and why are they done the way that they are ? …The following is a list of some of the basic moves steps and gestures as they were developed by the various old school pioneers of the locking era. Most of this foundation was developed between the time Don Campbell introduced the first Locking movements in the early 1970s, and when the various Original Groups including the Lockers refined their performances in 1974.We call this the EVOLUTIONARY STAGE.. After those dates enthusiast developed groups and routines around the world. But most of their movements could only be based on quick visuals of what were thought to be the basics of the dance . There was an assumption that locking was based only on moves and rythem, with no purpose , background or fundamentals. In todays world of mass media there is the ability to learn what, why and how the artform and subculture of the dance affected the actual moves themselves. … Although the actual movement The LOCK, which was Created by Don Campbell is a simple movement of hesitating or the Freezing of the Arms ,It was his flavor and unique timing while doing many of the social dances that led to the style. The actual Dance of Locking has incorporated many movements steps and stunts, although these are not technically considered Locks when done alone, but when put together with the unique freezing flavor they are considered to be associated with dance of Locking or Campbellocking.