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{{Other people|Bill Butler}}
⚫ '''Bill Butler''', also known as '''Mr. Charisma''', is a roller skater credited with the invention of ].<ref name=":332">{{Cite web |date=2023-05-17 |title=Undiscarded: Stories of New York: Ep7 – Rollerskate |url=https://www.cityreliquary.org/undiscarded-rollerskate/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250103154034/https://www.cityreliquary.org/undiscarded-rollerskate/ |archive-date=January 3, 2025 |access-date=2025-01-03 |website=The City Reliquary |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Carmel |first=Julia |date=December 30, 2020 |title=Meet Bill Butler, the Godfather of Roller Disco |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/30/arts/dance/bill-butler-empire-rollerdrome.html |access-date=2024-07-09 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>


⚫ '''Bill Butler''', also known as '''Mr. Charisma''', is a roller skater and choreographer credited with the invention of ].<ref name=":332">{{Cite web |date=2023-05-17 |title=Undiscarded: Stories of New York: Ep7 – Rollerskate |url=https://www.cityreliquary.org/undiscarded-rollerskate/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250103154034/https://www.cityreliquary.org/undiscarded-rollerskate/ |archive-date=January 3, 2025 |access-date=2025-01-03 |website=The City Reliquary |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Carmel |first=Julia |date=December 30, 2020 |title=Meet Bill Butler, the Godfather of Roller Disco |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/30/arts/dance/bill-butler-empire-rollerdrome.html |access-date=2024-07-09 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
⚫ '']'' and ] have referred to Butler as "the Godfather of ]".<ref name=":332" /><ref name=":0" />


The ] referred to Butler as "an original influencer" in jam skating, stating that "Butler’s iconic moves and styles inspired many of the popular moves and styles of today".<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Jam Skating {{!}} Your Audio Tour |url=https://youraudiotour.com/tours/national-museum-of-roller-skating-audio-tour-museum-proper/stops/9852 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241204133416/https://youraudiotour.com/tours/national-museum-of-roller-skating-audio-tour-museum-proper/stops/9852 |archive-date=December 4, 2024 |access-date=2025-01-03 |website=youraudiotour.com}}</ref> The ] referred to Butler as "an original influencer" in jam skating, stating that "Butler’s iconic moves and styles inspired many of the popular moves and styles of today".<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Jam Skating {{!}} Your Audio Tour |url=https://youraudiotour.com/tours/national-museum-of-roller-skating-audio-tour-museum-proper/stops/9852 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241204133416/https://youraudiotour.com/tours/national-museum-of-roller-skating-audio-tour-museum-proper/stops/9852 |archive-date=December 4, 2024 |access-date=2025-01-03 |website=youraudiotour.com}}</ref>

⚫ '']'' and ] have referred to Butler as "the Godfather of ]".<ref name=":332" /><ref name=":0" />


== Life == == Life ==
Butler is from Detroit, Michigan and skated at the Arcadia Rink.<ref name=":1" /> Butler is from Detroit, Michigan and skated at the Arcadia Rink.<ref name=":1" />


While stationed in Alaska, Butler invented the ] rollerskating technique.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=2020-11-16 |title=Bounce, Rock, Skate, Roll — Boy's Own |url=https://www.boysownproductions.com/zine/2017/12/3/bounce-rock-skate-roll |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116105054/https://www.boysownproductions.com/zine/2017/12/3/bounce-rock-skate-roll |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |access-date=2025-01-14 }}</ref>
⚫ He is credited with introducing and popularizing the ] dance styles of jamming known as "roller rocking" and "Brooklyn Bounce" at ] in the late 1950s to the 1980s.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Carmel |first=Julia |date=December 30, 2020 |title=Meet Bill Butler, the Godfather of Roller Disco |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/30/arts/dance/bill-butler-empire-rollerdrome.html |access-date=2024-07-09 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name=":3">Reaven, M., Zeitlin, S. (2006). ''Hidden New York: A Guide to Places That Matter.'' Rutgers University Press, 114.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Saraniero |first=Nicole |date=May 19, 2023 |title=The Legacy of NYC's Empire Roller Rink |url=https://untappedcities.com/2023/05/19/empire-roller-rink-undiscarded/ |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=Untapped New York |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Andy |date=December 9, 2020 |title=How NYC's '70s roller-discos rivaled established clubs |url=https://magazine.waxpoetics.com/article/bounce-rock-skate-roll/ |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=wax-poetics |language=en}}</ref>


In the 1960s, Empire attendee Mr. Charisma created a new style of roller skating he called ]. Skater Gloria McCarthy, whose father owned the rink, started a "Bounce" night to showcase Charisma's new style.<ref name=":32">{{Cite web |date=2023-05-17 |title=Undiscarded: Stories of New York: Ep7 – Rollerskate |url=https://www.cityreliquary.org/undiscarded-rollerskate/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250103154034/https://www.cityreliquary.org/undiscarded-rollerskate/ |archive-date=January 3, 2025 |access-date=2025-01-03 |website=The City Reliquary |language=en-US}}</ref> In 1957, when stationed in Brooklyn as a young serviceman, Butler visited the ], then owned by Hector and Henry Abrami. Upon his arrival, Butler noted that all the skaters were Black, but the music did not reflect their cultural preferences. In his own words:<blockquote>When I got there it was all organ music. Nothing related to black people and how we danced. So I brought my own music with me, and asked Mr Abrami if he would play a number I had, ''Night Train'' by ].</blockquote>The skaters responded positively to the disc-jockeyed music, and following this, the rink began to play ] and ] records; with "Butler...at the forefront of this new age for skating".<ref name=":4" /> Meanwhile, Butler also introduced Empire's skaters to jam skating.<ref name=":32">{{Cite web |date=2023-05-17 |title=Undiscarded: Stories of New York: Ep7 – Rollerskate |url=https://www.cityreliquary.org/undiscarded-rollerskate/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250103154034/https://www.cityreliquary.org/undiscarded-rollerskate/ |archive-date=January 3, 2025 |access-date=2025-01-03 |website=The City Reliquary |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":4" /> Skater Gloria McCarthy, whose father owned the rink, started a "Bounce" night to showcase Butler's new style.<ref name=":32" />


By 1979, ]'s "stylish tricks...made the a HOT destination" {{Sic}}, as it "drew storied celebrities away from the snooty uptown clubs (]) down to the warm & accepting Brooklyn Rink".<ref name=":333">{{Cite web |date=2023-05-17 |title=Undiscarded: Stories of New York: Ep7 – Rollerskate |url=https://www.cityreliquary.org/undiscarded-rollerskate/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250103154034/https://www.cityreliquary.org/undiscarded-rollerskate/ |archive-date=January 3, 2025 |access-date=2025-01-03 |website=The City Reliquary |language=en-US}}</ref> The most notable celebrity guest was ],<ref name=":333" /> who hosted '']''<nowiki/>'s Disco Forum skate party at the Empire Roller Disco that year.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bego |first=Mark |title=Cher: If You Believe |date=2001 |publisher=Taylor Trade Publishing |isbn=9780815411536}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ogkwAQAAIAAJ&q=Sheepshead+%22roll-a-palace%22 |title=What's Hot! What's Not! |date=1979 |publisher=Cue: The Weekly Magazine of New York Life. Cue Publishing Company |pages=19 |language=en |quote=Cher held a party here recently . The crowd is mostly black and flashy . The music is heated . There are neon palm trees , mirrored balls , loud sounds , and hordes of street people having fun . It is not as snazzy as the Roll - A - Palace, but it's funky.}}</ref> Others included ], ], ], and ].<ref name=":34">Reaven, M., Zeitlin, S. (2006). ''Hidden New York: A Guide to Places That Matter.'' Rutgers University Press, 114.</ref><ref>Ortiz, Lori. (2011) ''Disco Dance''. ABC-CLIO, 127.</ref> By 1979, Butler became the rink's instructor, performer, and creative consultant.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last=Kelly |first=Wilhelmena Rhodes |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SRpa370a22gC&dq=bill+butler+roll+bounce+consultant&pg=PA96 |title=Crown Heights and Weeksville |date=2009-08-31 |publisher=Arcadia Publishing |isbn=978-1-4396-2233-9 |pages=97 |language=en}}</ref> A photograph shows Butler at a ] party at Empire, instructing Cher by leading her by the hand.<ref name=":2" /> Butler's "stylish tricks...made the a HOT destination" {{Sic}}, as it "drew storied celebrities away from the snooty uptown clubs (]) down to the warm & accepting Brooklyn Rink".<ref name=":333">{{Cite web |date=2023-05-17 |title=Undiscarded: Stories of New York: Ep7 – Rollerskate |url=https://www.cityreliquary.org/undiscarded-rollerskate/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250103154034/https://www.cityreliquary.org/undiscarded-rollerskate/ |archive-date=January 3, 2025 |access-date=2025-01-03 |website=The City Reliquary |language=en-US}}</ref> The most notable celebrity guest was ],<ref name=":333" /> who hosted '']''<nowiki/>'s Disco Forum skate party at the Empire Roller Disco that year.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bego |first=Mark |title=Cher: If You Believe |date=2001 |publisher=Taylor Trade Publishing |isbn=9780815411536}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ogkwAQAAIAAJ&q=Sheepshead+%22roll-a-palace%22 |title=What's Hot! What's Not! |date=1979 |magazine=Cue: The Weekly Magazine of New York Life |pages=19 |language=en |quote=Cher held a party here recently . The crowd is mostly black and flashy . The music is heated . There are neon palm trees , mirrored balls , loud sounds , and hordes of street people having fun . It is not as snazzy as the Roll - A - Palace, but it's funky.}}</ref> Others included ], ], ], and ].<ref name=":34">Reaven, M., Zeitlin, S. (2006). ''Hidden New York: A Guide to Places That Matter.'' Rutgers University Press, 114.</ref><ref>Ortiz, Lori. (2011) ''Disco Dance''. ABC-CLIO, 127.</ref>


⚫ He is also credited with popularizing the "roller rocking" and "Brooklyn Bounce" techniques at ] in the late 1950s to the 1980s.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Carmel |first=Julia |date=December 30, 2020 |title=Meet Bill Butler, the Godfather of Roller Disco |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/30/arts/dance/bill-butler-empire-rollerdrome.html |access-date=2024-07-09 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name=":3">Reaven, M., Zeitlin, S. (2006). ''Hidden New York: A Guide to Places That Matter.'' Rutgers University Press, 114.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Saraniero |first=Nicole |date=May 19, 2023 |title=The Legacy of NYC's Empire Roller Rink |url=https://untappedcities.com/2023/05/19/empire-roller-rink-undiscarded/ |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=Untapped New York |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Andy |date=December 9, 2020 |title=How NYC's '70s roller-discos rivaled established clubs |url=https://magazine.waxpoetics.com/article/bounce-rock-skate-roll/ |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=wax-poetics |language=en}}</ref>
Butler was the creative director for the 2006 film ], having "had control over all aspects of skating in the film".<ref name=":1" />

Butler was the skate director for the 2006 film '']'',<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-06-19 |title=Summer of Skate Film Series: Roll Bounce featuring Bill Butler: July 13th |url=https://www.cityreliquary.org/summer-of-skate-film-series-roll-bounce-featuring-bill-butler-july-13th/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240415190213/https://www.cityreliquary.org/summer-of-skate-film-series-roll-bounce-featuring-bill-butler-july-13th/ |archive-date=April 15, 2024 |access-date=2025-01-03 |website=The City Reliquary |language=en-US}}</ref> having "had control over all aspects of skating in the film".<ref name=":1" /> He introduced the film as a special guest during a 2023 event at ].<ref name=":1" />

== See also ==
{{Portal|1970s
}}

* ]
* ]


== References == == References ==
{{Reflist}} {{Reflist}}

]
]
]
]
]

Latest revision as of 14:20, 15 January 2025

For other people named Bill Butler, see Bill Butler (disambiguation).

Bill Butler, also known as Mr. Charisma, is a roller skater and choreographer credited with the invention of jam skating.

The National Museum of Roller Skating referred to Butler as "an original influencer" in jam skating, stating that "Butler’s iconic moves and styles inspired many of the popular moves and styles of today".

The New York Times and The City Reliquary have referred to Butler as "the Godfather of Roller Disco".

Life

Butler is from Detroit, Michigan and skated at the Arcadia Rink.

While stationed in Alaska, Butler invented the jammin' rollerskating technique.

In 1957, when stationed in Brooklyn as a young serviceman, Butler visited the Empire Roller Rink, then owned by Hector and Henry Abrami. Upon his arrival, Butler noted that all the skaters were Black, but the music did not reflect their cultural preferences. In his own words:

When I got there it was all organ music. Nothing related to black people and how we danced. So I brought my own music with me, and asked Mr Abrami if he would play a number I had, Night Train by Count Basie.

The skaters responded positively to the disc-jockeyed music, and following this, the rink began to play jazz and R&B records; with "Butler...at the forefront of this new age for skating". Meanwhile, Butler also introduced Empire's skaters to jam skating. Skater Gloria McCarthy, whose father owned the rink, started a "Bounce" night to showcase Butler's new style.

By 1979, Butler became the rink's instructor, performer, and creative consultant. A photograph shows Butler at a Casablanca Records party at Empire, instructing Cher by leading her by the hand. Butler's "stylish tricks...made the a HOT destination" [sic], as it "drew storied celebrities away from the snooty uptown clubs (Studio 54) down to the warm & accepting Brooklyn Rink". The most notable celebrity guest was Cher, who hosted Billboard's Disco Forum skate party at the Empire Roller Disco that year. Others included Prince, Grace Jones, Madonna, and Olivia Newton-John.

He is also credited with popularizing the "roller rocking" and "Brooklyn Bounce" techniques at Empire Roller Rink in the late 1950s to the 1980s.

Butler was the skate director for the 2006 film Roll Bounce, having "had control over all aspects of skating in the film". He introduced the film as a special guest during a 2023 event at The City Reliquary.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Undiscarded: Stories of New York: Ep7 – Rollerskate". The City Reliquary. 2023-05-17. Archived from the original on January 3, 2025. Retrieved 2025-01-03.
  2. ^ Carmel, Julia (December 30, 2020). "Meet Bill Butler, the Godfather of Roller Disco". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
  3. ^ "Jam Skating | Your Audio Tour". youraudiotour.com. Archived from the original on December 4, 2024. Retrieved 2025-01-03.
  4. ^ "Bounce, Rock, Skate, Roll — Boy's Own". 2020-11-16. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved 2025-01-14.
  5. ^ "Undiscarded: Stories of New York: Ep7 – Rollerskate". The City Reliquary. 2023-05-17. Archived from the original on January 3, 2025. Retrieved 2025-01-03.
  6. ^ Kelly, Wilhelmena Rhodes (2009-08-31). Crown Heights and Weeksville. Arcadia Publishing. p. 97. ISBN 978-1-4396-2233-9.
  7. ^ "Undiscarded: Stories of New York: Ep7 – Rollerskate". The City Reliquary. 2023-05-17. Archived from the original on January 3, 2025. Retrieved 2025-01-03.
  8. Bego, Mark (2001). Cher: If You Believe. Taylor Trade Publishing. ISBN 9780815411536.
  9. "What's Hot! What's Not!". Cue: The Weekly Magazine of New York Life. 1979. p. 19. Cher held a party here recently . The crowd is mostly black and flashy . The music is heated . There are neon palm trees , mirrored balls , loud sounds , and hordes of street people having fun . It is not as snazzy as the Roll - A - Palace, but it's funky.
  10. Reaven, M., Zeitlin, S. (2006). Hidden New York: A Guide to Places That Matter. Rutgers University Press, 114.
  11. Ortiz, Lori. (2011) Disco Dance. ABC-CLIO, 127.
  12. Carmel, Julia (December 30, 2020). "Meet Bill Butler, the Godfather of Roller Disco". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
  13. Reaven, M., Zeitlin, S. (2006). Hidden New York: A Guide to Places That Matter. Rutgers University Press, 114.
  14. Saraniero, Nicole (May 19, 2023). "The Legacy of NYC's Empire Roller Rink". Untapped New York. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
  15. Thomas, Andy (December 9, 2020). "How NYC's '70s roller-discos rivaled established clubs". wax-poetics. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
  16. "Summer of Skate Film Series: Roll Bounce featuring Bill Butler: July 13th". The City Reliquary. 2018-06-19. Archived from the original on April 15, 2024. Retrieved 2025-01-03.
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