Leonard Reed

The origins of the Shim Sham

[@TH3_OFFC1AL_M3L0DY]

My dear great grandfather...
I wish you were still alive so you can see me become in the show business..
You would've been so proud of me.
We will all miss you
RIP Leonard Reed 🙏
-Melody

[@rustyfrank]

I just saw this! Thank you so much for loading. Leonard Reed was a dear friend, and I miss him so much. Watching this interview was like being with him again.

[@charleswyler4268]

This is wonderful! He was a great speaker. It was such a joy to listen to him talk about the old days. His ability to recall details, even into his late 90s was astonishing. I once took a Shim-Sham class from him, it is one of my fondest memories from my many years of dancing.

[@thelmastapnotes]

It's great to hear directly from Leonard. What a fascinating and inspiring man!

[@KCTap]

Hi my friend Doreen. Thanks for this gem!

[@keiloibutterfly]

This was great!!!! Thank you!

[@itchymakitchy8960]

Wonderful !

[@kimrevie-buchheit425]

Thank you! SO ABSOLUTELY COOL

[@CreatureofHabitat]

Wow. So bright!

[@AnnetteWalkerUK]

This is great! I’d like to share with credits for tap resources. Please let me know what credits to include for this interview (interviewer, date, producer etc) and any links to include in addition to this video.

[@FamousPicturesCompany]

"Revenge of the Shim Sham" - Maxwell DeMille :)

[@levanahbatlila859]

May 25

[@pedropaulobrav]

Hi doreen, how are you? I loved this video and I think it’s a rarity. hearing this story told directly by the creator of shim sham is an honor.
This video is a gift!
Could I subtitle the video in Portuguese for the tap dancers from Brazil? (Giving your credits) I would love to do this.
Thank you so much

[@doreenkeith4124]

Absolutely!

[@pedropaulobrav]

@@doreenkeith4124 thank youu!!!! ❤

[@swingindenver]

when did this interview take place?

[@doreenkeith4124]

I can’t remember the date but about a year before he died. Jay Clark was going to visit with him so I sent him with my camera. This took place in his house surrounded by all of the historical VHS tapes. He was just the best❤️

[@TheDrTrish]

@@doreenkeith4124 Hi Doreen - I have shared with tap dance people in the UK - we are so keen on understanding the origins of tap dance and to hear Leonard speak is just fab! I have credited you as the source on our page Tap Dance Research Network UK - many thanks for sharing this - its a GEM