He agreed to teach them a few steps, leading to a career resurgence that made him a headliner at Lindy Hop workshops around the world. With a family to support, Manning spent 30 years as a postal clerk, until a popular swing reawakening in the 1980s.Īt the time, Manning was approached by a pair of young swing enthusiasts who found his name in the phone book. First came the rise of bebop jazz, which was largely undanceable, and then the advent of rock ‘n’ roll. When he returned from Army service during World War II, he started his own troupe but the music scene had changed radically. Some of the Savoy’s finest dancers, including Manning, were recruited to join Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers, a dance performance team that appeared in Hollywood movies such as “Hellzapoppin’ ” (1941).Īs part of the team, he was the opening act for singers including Billie Holiday and performed before King George VI of England in 1937.
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