I am gobsmacked. This has absolutely nothing to do with homelessness, but everything to do with losing a great, beloved man and a personal idol of mine.
Frankie Manning, the legendary Lindy Hopper, performer in many classic films (with Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers) and INVENTOR of aerials/airsteps, died this morning of complications of pneumonia.
I’m so embarrassed to say this, but I’m actually tearing up right now. As a former performing swing dancer, I have wanted to meet and dance with this man for YEARS. Last year I missed my chance at a workshop with him, but I was positive this was gonna be the year. Now I will never have the chance.
Frankie danced up to his death – he was to turn 95 years old in one month. It was my ambition to find some way to attend his 95th birthday celebration and be able to say that I met and danced with a living legend. He was such an inspiration, raw energy personified, and completely funny, charming, and brilliant – I know this from the testimonials of fellow swing dancers who met him, and from his autobiography, which I bought last year and DEVOURED. I couldn’t put it down. He lived a magnificent life, and he lived it to the fullest.
The world has lost so much today.
*sniffle*
You know him very well already. You’ve met him in a zillion ways already without even knowing it. His identity was as a Lindy Hopper and his inspiration was contagious. Everyone who passed their knowledge of him on to you in the form of moves, stylings, or technique introduced you to him.
He’ll live on in everything you know about him and his dance.
Peace.
Aw, I wish I knew who you were because that’s so beautiful (far more than anything I could come up with) and it’s making me all misty-eyed again.
What a well-loved man he was.
~Bri~