Don Campbell (dancer) facts for kids

Don "Campbellock" Campbell (born January 8, 1951 – died March 30, 2020) was an amazing American dancer and choreographer. He is famous for inventing a dance style called "locking". This style involves quickly freezing in a position, then moving again. Don was also a key member of the dance group The Lockers. He was born in Saint Louis, Missouri and discovered his passion for dance while studying commercial art in college.

The Start of a Dance Legend

In 1971, Don Campbell joined the popular TV show Soul Train as a dancer. He was a featured dancer until 1973. He left the show because he believed dancers should be paid for their work. After leaving, he gathered other dancers who felt the same way. Together, they formed a new dance group called The Lockers.

In 1972, Don even recorded a song called "The Campbellock." This song went perfectly with his new, exciting dance style. His group was first known as The Campbellock Dancers, but they later changed their name to The Lockers. Famous dancers like Toni Basil and Fred Berry were part of this group.

The Lockers performed with many of the biggest stars of their time. These included Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin, and Aretha Franklin. They also appeared on popular television shows. These shows included The Carol Burnett Show, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, and Saturday Night Live. The Lockers were the first non-musical group to perform on Saturday Night Live. Don and his groups earned over 80 performance credits before they stopped performing in the early 1980s.

How Don's Dance Changed Culture

Don Campbell's unique dance moves, known as locking, became very popular. Many famous music videos from artists like The Backstreet Boys, NSYNC, Britney Spears, and Christina Aguilera featured his steps.

Janet Jackson used Campbell's original moves in her videos for her Rhythm Nation album. Michael Jackson also used locking extensively in his choreography. He featured it in his tours and music videos, showing how much Don's style influenced pop music.

Later Years and Legacy

In his later life, Don Campbell became an instructor and ambassador for locking. He traveled around the world, teaching his dance style. He visited countries like Japan, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Germany. He shared his knowledge through documented videos and hands-on teaching.

Don also attended many important events related to hip-hop culture. He was honored at the first-ever Hip-Hop Conference held at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Some of Don's outfits from his dance career were displayed there. This helped to promote awareness about hip-hop culture.

Media interest in Don Campbell grew over the years. Articles about him appeared in many magazines and online publications. He was also featured in the book "Vibe’s History of Hip-Hop."

Towards the end of his life, Don worked on several projects with his son, Dennis. These projects included an illustrated book about his dance teachings, his autobiography, a DVD, and a movie about his life.

Don Campbell passed away in Santa Clarita, California in March 2020. He was 69 years old. His invention of locking continues to influence dancers worldwide.