The Watusi

The Watusi

The Watusi is a solo dance that enjoyed brief popularity during the early 1960s. [ [http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/watusi?view=uk Oxford English Dictionary definition of "Watusi"] ] It was almost as popular as the Twist. Its name came from the Batutsi tribe of Rwanda.

History

In 1961, Puerto Rican jazz musician Ray Barretto had his first hit with a song called "El Watusi" and although he didn't invent the style, he came to be typecast as connected to the style. ["Grammy-winning Latin-jazz drummer Ray Barretto dies at 76", "Houston Chronicle", 17 February 2006]

The Orlons, a vocal quartet from Philadelphia, had the biggest hit of their career as recording artists with their recording of "The Wah Watusi" (Cameo 218), which debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart on June 9, 1962 and remained on the Hot 100 for 14 weeks; it peaked at #2 and held the position for two weeks. Barretto's recording, "El Watusi" (Tico 419), debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart on April 27, 1963 and remained on the Hot 100 for 9 weeks; it peaked at #17 for 9 weeks.

Steps

In the classic Watusi, the dancer is almost stationary with knees slightly bent, although may advance forward and back by one or two small rhythmic paces. The arms, with palms flat in line, are held almost straight, alternately flail up and down in the vertical. The head is kept in line with the upper torso but may bob slightly to accentuate the arm flailing. The dance, which became popular in the American surf/beach sub-culture of 1960s, may be enhanced if one imagines that ones feet are on sand. [http://www.turbosquid.com/FullPreview/Index.cfm/ID/181862]

References


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Watusi — may refer to one of the following.* The Watusi, a dance * Batutsi / Tutsi, an African tribe * Watusi (band) * Watusi, a breed of cow * Watusi , a 1959 film with George Montgomery and Taina Elg * Watusi (album), a album by The Wedding Present …   Wikipedia

  • The Cosmopolitans — are a United States New Wave band that were based in New York from 1979 until 82. The band was best known for songs “(How to Keep Your) Husband Happy” and “Wild Moose Party” released in 1980, as well as its quirky choreography and lyrics, which… …   Wikipedia

  • The Beach Girls and the Monster — Directed by Jon Hall Produced by Edward Janis Written by Joan …   Wikipedia

  • The Frug — (pronounced froog ) was a dance craze from the 1960s that evolved from another dance of the era, The Chicken. The Chicken, which featured lateral body movements, was used primarily as a change of pace step while doing The Twist. As young dancers… …   Wikipedia

  • The Vibrations — were an American soul vocal group from Los Angeles, California, active from the mid 1950s to 1976. Most notable among the group s hit singles were My Girl Sloopy (1964) and Love in Them Thar Hills (1968). The quintet s members included Don… …   Wikipedia

  • watusi — 1. noun A popular dance of the 1960s, fueled by the success of the song Wah Watusi by The Orlons in 1962. Secondary in popularity to dances such as the Twist. 2. verb To dance the watusi. ...but in the middle of it all will be some preposterous,… …   Wiktionary

  • watusi — /wəˈtusi/ (say wuh toohsee), /waˈtusi/ (say wah toohsee) noun a vigorous solo dance popular in the 1960s. {from the Watusi people of central Africa (now known as the Tutsi), whose traditional dance is characterised by a high jumping movement} …  

  • The Orlons — Origin Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. Genres R B Years active 1960–present Labels Cameo Parkway Records …   Wikipedia

  • The Orlons — war eine US amerikanische Gesangsgruppe, die Anfang der 60er Jahre in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, gegründet wurde. Die Mitglieder der Gruppe formierten sich bereits auf Highschool und bestand zunächst aus sechs Mitgliedern. Nach ein paar… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Watusi (band) — Watusi is a popular Reggae/Worldbeat band formed in Dallas, TX in 1982 by Jimi Towry and a Rwandan native, Ruta Gengwa. Pioneers of the Worldbeat mix of Reggae, soca, Afrikan, Latin, funk and jazz styles, they have spread their music all over the …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”