Undoubtedly the most highly recognized name in the b-boy world, the Rock Steady Crew was first formed in 1977 in the Bronx, New York. The two man team of Jo Jo and Jimmy D were the original founders. It was an important time for the dance movement. Disco was killing the artform and many b-boys had given up and gone on to other things. Jo Jo was a one time hustler that learned he could gain more notoriety on the dance floor. He is also often credited with inventing the back spin.
- Crazy Legs is currently the president of the Rock Steady Crew. 2) The name Rock Steady Crew was created after a dance called 'The Rock.' 3) Rock Steady Crew was featured in hip-hop movies such as 'Wild Style' and 'Beat Street.' 4) In 1981, New York City's Lincoln Center hosted a breaking battle between Dynamic Rockers and Rock Steady Crew.
- Gareth Eilledge - Died 1991 ( Rock ) Bassist - Worked with Bill Nelson. Teddy Long - Died 1991 ( Doo-Wop ) Was a singer for the reformed El Dorados. Kuriaki Soto - Died 1991 - Murdered ( Rap ) Member of RSC (Rock Steady Crew) (They did, 'Hey, You, Rock Steady Crew') - Appeared in the movie, 'Beat Street'.
- April 6, 2008 1:20 p.m. Wayne Frost, one of the original Bronx-based Rock Steady Crew and better known as Frosty Freeze, died at Mount Sinai Medical Center late last week at the age of 44; it was.
- Beat Street (1984) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more.
In 1979, Jimmy D realized the need for new blood and added in a member that would eventually be scene as a spokesman for the entire organization. That member was Richard “Crazy Legs” Colón. The other new member was Lenny Len. They began spreading the RSC name into Manhattan.
They used battles as a means of recruitment.
Mr. Freeze was one of the first real white b-boys.
Zangeres Daisy Castro (Baby Love) en danser Vendetta van The Rock Steady Crew vertellen het verhaal achter 'Hey You (Rock Steady Crew)'. Een reportage van To.
Frosty Freeze was an elder b-boy (a member of the Rock City Crew) who was still interested in the game but was without a steady crew. He pledged his support with the younger RSC members if they needed him in a battle.
The crew’s big break came in 1981. Photographer Henry Chalfant gave them the chance to perform at the Lincoln Center Outdoors Program. The event turned into a battle with the Dynamic Rockers. The show garnered coverage from various press sources including National Geographic. The result was world wide attention to the b-boy cause.
Not long after this Crazy Legs was named President of the Rock Steady Crew with Frosty Freeze and Ken Swift (who was part of a crew called The Young City Boys and was brought in as an RSC member after battling Crazy Legs) as Co-Vice Presidents.
But perhaps and even bigger break was the appearance by members Mr Freeze, Ken Swift, Crazy Legs and Frosty Freeze in the box office smash “Flashdance”. This lead to a nation wide craze into what was now being called “breakdancing”. It also played heavily into the development of the West Coast b-boy scene.
Lil’ Crazy Legs, originally part of Rock City Rockers, got his name from his efforts to copy Crazy Legs style.
Had a regular Thursday night gig at a club called Negril which was run by Michael Holman (of Graffiti Rock fame).
In 1982, Rock Steady Crew became members of Afrika Bambaataa’s Zulu Nation.
The established 98th and Amsterdam in New York as Rock Steady Park and it became a meeting place for all RSC members.
Due to their burgeoning success, they took on Kool Lady Blue as their manager.
They were part of a European tour that included Afrika Bambaataa, Fab 5 Freddy, various graffiti artists among others.
Members appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman.
They recorded a record for Charisma called “Hey You Rock Steady Crew”. The record is hardly a b-boy anthem, but it did reach the top of the British charts. They also released a single called “Uprock”. Both songs appeared on their album “Ready For Battle”.
Rock Steady Crew Members Died Recently
The record did a have a downside. Due to contractual dealings, they were unable to perform live. The group was reaching the end of their initial popularity wave. Unfortunately some members didn’t choose the right path during this down period.
Mr. Wiggles (also part of West Coast Crew Electric Boogaloos) and Fable from the Magnificent Force came up with an idea for a hip hop musical called “So, What Happens Now.” It ended up being the critics choice in the New York Times and received rave reviews in The Village Voice and The Daily News.
Resurgence picked up steam again with their performance at the 1991 Source Awards as well as their first annual Rock Steady Anniversary Celebration.
They have also been featured in several music videos in the last 3-4 years.
Related Links: www.rocksteadycrew.com
Additional submitted by Mr Wiggles
Check out the Rock Steady Crew in “Beat Street”
Rock Steady Crew Death
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Rock Steady Crew Members Died Yesterday
NEW YORK (AP) -- Wayne Frost, a hip-hop pioneer known as 'Frosty Freeze' whose acrobatic performance with the legendary Rock Steady Crew in the 1983 hit movie 'Flashdance' set off a worldwide breakdancing craze, has died. He was 44.
Frost died Thursday after a long illness, said Jorge 'Fabel' Pabon, a senior vice president of the crew where Frost and other so-called b-boys (for beat or break boys) made their name performing complicated and daring dance routines.
Breakdancing emerged from the Bronx and Harlem in the early 1970s, part of the hip-hop culture that also included graffiti, MCing or rapping, and disc jockeys scratching and mixing vinyl records on turntables.
During extended pauses, or breaks, in the music, b-boys would mimic James Brown's showmanship and footwork and Bruce Lee's martial arts, adding their own signature moves.
Frost was known for his energetic style, intricate choreography and fearless moves including back flips and head spins. One was even dubbed the 'Suicide.'
Frost got his start in 1978 with the Bronx-based Rock City Crew. In 1981, he became part of the Rock Steady Crew, joining such acclaimed breakdancers as Ken Swift and Lil Crazy Legs.
Frost toured the world with the Rock Steady Crew and other hip-hop artists, including Fab 5 Freddy, Futura 2000 and Kool Lady Blue.
As a member of the Rock Steady Crew, Frost also appeared in several movies on hip-hop culture, including 'Wild Style,' 'Beat Street' and 'Style Wars.' He also appeared on the cover of the Village Voice in 1981.
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