My Father introduced me to Mr Bo Jangles as a child of 8 years old. It’s still one of the most precious memories of my life. One entire afternoon alone with my father was so very special. This song brings my heart such warmth.
The guy in the song "Bojangles" is NOT Bill "Bojangles" Robinson! The guy referenced in the song was a Hobo that was using the AKA of Bojangles in order to conceal his identity from the New Orleans Police dept after being locked up for drunk and disorderly. Bill Robinson was a living legend!
Yes, Jerry Jeff Walker related the story of how he met the man who used the name Mr. Bojangles in order to conceal his identity from the New Orleans police. They spent three days in jail together over a Fourth of July weekend.
Dance as we know it owes everything to Mr B. Bill just takes my breath away, such a God given talent and pure joy to watch him move. Thanks for this history lesson.
I don’t know about this, the Songwriter and Sing, Jerry Jeff Walker, wrote Mr. Bojangles in 1968, he said that his song was inspired by several people he met along the way, not just 1 person, the part about a dog dying was about a homeless drunk he met while in jail, dancing in bars for tips and drinks, perhaps that video was incorrect, about the real Mr. Bojangles was Mr. Robinson, perhaps he was. Great song though, and a great video, very interesting!
