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Apr

Photo Captures 1930s Skate History

Skate NewsApril 26th, 2009RST_newsReply

Do you recognize anyone in this photo? It comes from the archives of The Afro American Newspaper and was taken in 1933 when the paper held a skate contest in Baltimore, Maryland. They young men/boys pictured were contestants.

(credit: The Afro American)

If you recognize any of these individuals, contact webeditor@afro.com.

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~ Each one, teach one ~

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About

THE RST CREED

ROLLER SKATING TODAY

advocates quad roller skating as a form of physical and emotional fitness, weight control and stress relief

encourages those who love to skate to make it a regular part of their lives and to contribute to the ELEVATION and PROMOTION of the sport. ~ LOVE IT - LIVE IT! ~

encourages those who do not have an interest in skating to find something in life that they thoroughly enjoy doing and perform it to the best of their ability and as often as they can

promotes that the more you fill your life with activities, hobbies and people you enjoy, the happier you are and the more zest you have for life. It will follow that you will have a greater contribution to give to the world and people you encounter.

ABOUT RST RST is an online resource station for adult R&B quad roller skaters and is designed to inform, enlighten and stimulate avid skaters and others who are attracted to our features. HOW RST BEGAN RST's conception was much like an unplanned, unexpected pregnancy which, in a sense, "just happened." The first issue was published in June 2002 and surprisingly the idea to create an online skate newsletter did not pop into my head until a few short weeks prior to that. As a freelance writer and also an avid skater, I had written an article series about the history of today's skate circuit which was intended for publication on another site. However, when portions of that article were deemed too controversial to be published there I was left with an unexpected dilemma: 'how was I going to get the information out to my intended audience?' A few weeks later, the answer came to me and that was the humble, unexpected conception of Roller Skating Today. From then until now, the labor of love has continued and in many ways RST is feeling its way along on a month to month basis. RST's FUTURE? My original thought was to publish only enough issues to share the article series I had in mind, but the RST audience continues to grow and the features and archive articles continue to be sources of reference for RST visitors. What I at one time thought would be no more than a 12 month project has grown into a permanent fixture for those seeking the information RST has to offer. The continued support and encouragement of RST readers is greatly appreciated. If you have any ideas on how this online resource station can be improved or updated, please let us know. For the love of skating, for the elevation of the sport and for the love of those who share the same passion, you should be......

ROLLER SKATING TODAY!

- KM - (Page last updated 04-13-10)

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Bill Butler

William “Bill” Butler

Born: Detroit, Michigan, 12-04-1933

Residence: Georgia (2003-current); New York (1957 - 2003)

Specialty: Roller skating enthusiast, expert, pioneer, performer, instructor and advocate

Bill Butler – once tagged the “Godfather of Roller Disco” - lives the sport he loves and is, in fact, roller skating to the very depth of his being. Creator of the one-of-a-kind, rapid paced, funky form of skating he labeled “Jammin**',” he has become a legend in his own time. Bill is a long time skate instructor and continues his weekly classes in Georgia where he is training students aged 10 to 57.

Still jammin' as a sassy, soulful senior, his influence, impact, talent and skill are most notably displayed in “Roll Bounce,” the 2005 Fox Searchlight Pictures film. As Creative Skate Director he was directly responsible for all skating aspects related to the movie and also for the thrilling and dynamic skating that continues to have skaters worldwide attempting to emulate the unique moves made popular in the film.

Under Bill's direction, his assistant creative director, long time student and protege, Michael Johnson, choreographed the majority of Roll Bounce's skate routines and also doubled for the main character played by entertainer Bow Wow. As such, Johnson, who is also a skate coach/instructor, performed the advanced and more difficult skate steps for the young actor.

In 2007, Bill served as Choregrapher/Consultant for a McDonald's skate-themed commercial and from 2002-2007 his skate-related news was featured in “Good Jammin' News,” a column on Roller Skating Today (RST). He also co-authored “Jammin' – Bill Butler's Complete Guide to Roller Disco,” (1979, Pocket Books). Mr. Butler, along with Michael Johnson and other students of the Jammin' technique, were featured personalities in “8 Wheels and Some Soul Brotha Music,” (Jammin Entertainment, 2003), a documentary on the history of Black roller skating. The talented skaters were also featured in “Things That Move,” (2006), a documentary produced for Canadian television.

** NOTE: The Jammin' technique is not to be confused with Jam Skating. "..Jammin ... is a style created by [Bill Butler] who based his technique on the use of the hockey stop and subsequently, developed a complex, detailed, scientific, yet enjoyable and fun approach to roller dancing. Jammin is a most distinct form of R&B skating...." -Aug 05 RST Editorial -

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