The Clark Brothers

The Clark Brothers in a 1944 advertisement

The Clark Brothers, Steve (born 1924) and James ("Jimmy") (c. 1922 – 30 October 2009), were thought to be the last of the "brothers" acts of tap-dancing's golden age.

Biography

The gospel-singing Clark Family grew up in poverty in Philadelphia. By the age of 12 Steve, the youngest, was a seasoned soloist, singing and dancing. The two brothers' first engagement was at the Cotton Club in Harlem - when they were 15 and 17. Frank Sinatra told them to move to Britain after the war, which probably saved their careers.

The Clark Brothers gave their first British performance for King George VI and became favourites in working men's clubs. They wrote hits for Max Bygraves and appeared at the London Palladium; and they opened a "University of Showbusiness" in London, where Cliff Richard and Bonnie Langford were among their pupils.

Jimmy died on 30 October 2009 aged 87. He and his brother Steve lived together in Dunstable.^[1] Jimmy's funeral took place on 17 November at St Peter's Priory Dunstable.^[2]

Film/TV appearances

• The Good Old Days (1983)
• Sez Les (1973)
• Saturday Variety (1972)
• Sunday Night at the London Palladium (1967)
• Blackpool Night Out (1965)
• The Ed Sullivan Show (1965)
• Club Night (1964)
• The Royal Variety Show (1963)
• The Colgate Comedy Hour (1952–1955)
• The George Jessel Show (1954)
• Killer Diller (1948)^[3]

See also

• Tap dance

References

External links

• The Clark Brothers at the Apollo Theatre (from YouTube)
• 2008 interview with Steve Clark (from YouTube)