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Bubbles, John W.

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1902 - 1986

Biographical History

John W. Bubbles (1902-1986) was an American vaudeville singer, performer, entertainer and dancer.

John W. Bubbles was born John William Sublett in Louisville, Kentucky on February 19, 1902. As a youth, he met and formed a partnership with Ford L. "Buck" Washington in Indianapolis and performed as "Buck and Bubbles." They had many important appearances such as being the first black artists to appear in the Radio City Music Hall and it may be said that they were the first black artists performing live on television.

Bubbles is known as the father of "rhythm tap", which is a style of tap dance that works with the improvisatory style of jazz because it allowed for more rhythmic freedom. In 1935 Bubbles was chosen the play the role of Sportin' Life in the opera Porgy and Bess, but he only occasionally played the role. Some later life appearances Bubbles had included touring the war zone during the Vietnam War and being a part of a few Hollywood films and on television. Bubbles died on May 18, 1986 in New York City.

Citation:
Wikipedia.org, "John W. Bubbles." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Bubbles, visited 17 Dec 2012. (all above information)

Ancestry.com, "John W. Bubbles," (b. 1902, d. 1986). Boards. http://boards.ancestry.com/topics.obits/109361/mb.ashx. Visited December 17, 2012. (all above information).

Chadbourne, Eugene. Billboard.com, "John W. Bubbles: Biography," (b. 1902, d. 1986). http://www.billboard.com/artist/john-w-sublett/bio/500727#/artist/john-w-sublett/bio/500727. Visited December 17, 2012. (born 1902; d. 1986; performed in "Cabin in the Sky," Sportin' Life in "Porgy and Bess," started working with Buck as a child in Indianapolis; father of rhythm tap; did television performances; did USO tour with Bob Hope.)

Wikipedia, August 18, 2015 (John W. Bubbles; born John William Sublett; b. Feb. 19, 1902 in Louisville, Kentucky; d. May 18, 1986 in New York City; formed partnership with Ford L. "Buck" Washington in Indianapolis and performed as "Buck and Bubbles"; first black artists to appear in the Radio City Music; may be said that they were first black artists to perform live on television; father of "rhythm tap"; "rhythm tap" allows for more rhythmic freedom and works with the improvisatory style of jazz; chosen in 1935 to play role of Sportin' Life in the opera Porgy and Bess and occasionally played role; toured Vietnam war zone; appeared in a few Hollywood films; appeared on television)

Found in 2 Collections and/or Records:

John W. Bubbles clippings, film recordings, and audio recordings, approximately 1925-1985

 Series
Identifier: MSS 8026 Series 4
Scope and Contents Contains media files related to the life of Bubbles. First consists of collections of clippings about John Bubbles and others. Includes his collection on the assassination of John F. Kennedy, obituaries and news about his contemporary performers, such as Dinah Washington and T-Bone Walker, and other clippings. Also contains some full magazines with articles about Bubbles. Includes video and audio recordings of his appearances on television, such as on the Perry Como show and the USO tour...
Dates: approximately 1925-1985
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / MSS 8026, John W. Bubbles papers

John W. Bubbles video and audio recordings, approximately 1925-1985

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 8026 Series 4 Sub-Series 2
Scope and Contents

Contains film and audio tapes collected by Bubbles. Contains small LP albums, videocassette recordings, audiotape recordings, and other small reels. They are recordings of Bubbles and other performers, such as Perry Como and Louis Armstrong. Also includes some type of recording device for audio recordings. Materials date from approximately 1925 to 1985.

Dates: approximately 1925-1985
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / MSS 8026, John W. Bubbles papers / John W. Bubbles clippings, film recordings, and audio recordings

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  • Subject: Videocassettes X

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Audiocassettes 1
 

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