The Lockers
Encyclopedia
The Lockers were a dance group formed by Toni Basil
and Don "Campbellock" Campbell in 1971. Active throughout the 1970s, they were pioneers of street dance. Don Campbell is the founder of the locking dance style and originally, Locking was called The Campbellock - a style that was based on the dance and song that Don Campbell created. Toni Basil met Campbell at a club in 1971 and together they formed The Lockers as a dance group. Toni Basil also served as The Locker's manager, and was responsible for staging the act. All the dancers contributed steps and choreography with their unique and individual styles. By 1975 they were "Dancing their way to stardom" on their own. [1] Individual members' contributions (as soloist performers) to the dance style and group image coupled with their unique presentation in staging and concept broke down many barriers. It has been said on the reality dance competition So You Think You Can Dance
that "The Lockers emergence on the dance scene changed the face of dance not only for street dancers but for dance in general and has made street dance
a true American art form."
, Soul Train
, Carol Burnett
, and The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson
. They have performed live on stage at Radio City Music Hall
, Carnegie Hall
, Disneyland, The MGM Grand Las Vegas
, Harrah's Reno
, and Harrah's Lake Tahoe
. The group was animated for their appearance in the 1982 animated film Hey Good Lookin' directed by Ralph Bakshi
. They appeared in commercials for Schlitz Malt Liquor and Billy Preston's album "Nothing From Nothing".
There were alternates who filled in for original members from time to time:
In mid 1976, three and a half years after the inception of The Lockers, Mr. Berry and Ms. Basil left the group amicably. At the end of 1976, dancer Tony "GO GO" Lewis Foster became an alternate member.
Basil, who already had a successful career as a choreographer and actress prior to the Lockers, would go on to achieve pop music success with the Grammy nominated single "Mickey
."
Adolfo Quinones starred as Ozone in the street dance films, Breakin and Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo. He also did the choreography for Madonna
's "Who's That Girl
" tour. His awards include the "Lifetime Achievement Award" for outstanding contributions to hip-hop from The Carnival: Choreographer’s Ball
and the Drama Critic's Circle Award for Best Choreography for the musical "Standup Tragedy".
Fred Berry would later find greater fame in the role of "Rerun" on the ABC
sitcom What's Happening!!
. One episode would feature a performance by The Lockers (except for Toni Basil). Berry also makes a cameo appearance in Toni Basil's "Shoppin' from A to Z" Video.
Toni Basil
Antonia Christina Basilotta , better known by her stage name Toni Basil, is an American singer-songwriter, actress, filmmaker, film director, choreographer, and dancer, best known for her multi-million-selling worldwide #1 hit "Mickey" from 1982.-Early life:Basil was born Antonia Christina...
and Don "Campbellock" Campbell in 1971. Active throughout the 1970s, they were pioneers of street dance. Don Campbell is the founder of the locking dance style and originally, Locking was called The Campbellock - a style that was based on the dance and song that Don Campbell created. Toni Basil met Campbell at a club in 1971 and together they formed The Lockers as a dance group. Toni Basil also served as The Locker's manager, and was responsible for staging the act. All the dancers contributed steps and choreography with their unique and individual styles. By 1975 they were "Dancing their way to stardom" on their own. [1] Individual members' contributions (as soloist performers) to the dance style and group image coupled with their unique presentation in staging and concept broke down many barriers. It has been said on the reality dance competition So You Think You Can Dance
So You Think You Can Dance (U.S. TV series)
So You Think You Can Dance is an American dance competition and reality show that airs on Fox in the United States.The series first premiered on July 20, 2005, and was created by American Idol producers Simon Fuller and Nigel Lythgoe and is produced by 19 Entertainment and Dick Clark Productions...
that "The Lockers emergence on the dance scene changed the face of dance not only for street dancers but for dance in general and has made street dance
Street dance
Street dance, more formally known as vernacular dance, is an umbrella term used to describe dance styles that evolved outside of dance studios in any available open space such as streets, dance parties, block parties, parks, school yards, raves, and nightclubs, etc...
a true American art form."
Performances
The Lockers many television appearances include Saturday Night LiveSaturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live is a live American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title of NBC's Saturday Night.The show's sketches often parody contemporary American culture...
, Soul Train
Soul Train
Soul Train is an American musical variety show that aired in syndication from October 1971 to March 2006. In its 35-year history, the show primarily featured performances by R&B, soul, and hip hop artists, although funk, jazz, disco, and gospel artists have also appeared.As a nod to Soul Trains...
, Carol Burnett
The Carol Burnett Show
The Carol Burnett Show is a variety / sketch comedy television show starring Carol Burnett, Harvey Korman, Vicki Lawrence, Lyle Waggoner, and Tim Conway. It originally ran on CBS from September 11, 1967, to March 29, 1978, for 278 episodes and originated from CBS Television City's Studio 33...
, and The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson is a talk show hosted by Johnny Carson under the Tonight Show franchise from 1962 to 1992. It originally aired during late-night....
. They have performed live on stage at Radio City Music Hall
Radio City Music Hall
Radio City Music Hall is an entertainment venue located in New York City's Rockefeller Center. Its nickname is the Showplace of the Nation, and it was for a time the leading tourist destination in the city...
, Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall is a concert venue in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, United States, located at 881 Seventh Avenue, occupying the east stretch of Seventh Avenue between West 56th Street and West 57th Street, two blocks south of Central Park....
, Disneyland, The MGM Grand Las Vegas
MGM Grand Las Vegas
The MGM Grand Las Vegas is a hotel casino located on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada. The MGM Grand is the third largest hotel in the world and largest hotel resort complex in the United States in front of The Venetian. The MGM Grand was the largest hotel in the world when it opened in...
, Harrah's Reno
Harrah's Reno
Harrah's Reno is a hotel casino in Reno, Nevada. Harrah's Reno is credited for being Harrahs Entertainment's first hotel when the company was owned by its founder William F. Harrah.-History:...
, and Harrah's Lake Tahoe
Harrah's Lake Tahoe
Harrah's Lake Tahoe, is a resort casino, in South Lake Tahoe, at Stateline, Nevada. It is branded with the name of its former owner William Fisk Harrah and owned by Caesars Entertainment Corp.. The 18-story tower and 525 rooms, plus of casino make it one of the largest resorts at South Lake...
. The group was animated for their appearance in the 1982 animated film Hey Good Lookin' directed by Ralph Bakshi
Ralph Bakshi
Ralph Bakshi is an Israeli-American director of animated and live-action films. In the 1970s, he established an alternative to mainstream animation through independent and adult-oriented productions. Between 1972 and 1992, he directed nine theatrically released feature films, five of which he wrote...
. They appeared in commercials for Schlitz Malt Liquor and Billy Preston's album "Nothing From Nothing".
Members
From 1973 to 1976, The Lockers consisted of the following members:- Don "Campbellock" Campbell
- Toni "Mickey" BasilToni BasilAntonia Christina Basilotta , better known by her stage name Toni Basil, is an American singer-songwriter, actress, filmmaker, film director, choreographer, and dancer, best known for her multi-million-selling worldwide #1 hit "Mickey" from 1982.-Early life:Basil was born Antonia Christina...
- Fred "Mr. Penguin" BerryFred BerryFred "Rerun" Berry was an American actor best known for the role of Fred "Rerun" Stubbs on the popular 1970s television show What's Happening!!.-Career:Berry was born in St. Louis, Missouri...
- Greg "Campbellock Jr" Pope
- Adolfo "Shabba-Doo" Quinones
- Bill "Slim the Robot" Williams
- Leo "Fluky Luke" Williamson
There were alternates who filled in for original members from time to time:
In mid 1976, three and a half years after the inception of The Lockers, Mr. Berry and Ms. Basil left the group amicably. At the end of 1976, dancer Tony "GO GO" Lewis Foster became an alternate member.
Post-Lockers
After The Lockers disbanded, group members continued to find success individually. Both Don Campbell and Toni Basil have received the "Living Legend of Hip Hop" award from Hip Hop International.Basil, who already had a successful career as a choreographer and actress prior to the Lockers, would go on to achieve pop music success with the Grammy nominated single "Mickey
Mickey (song)
"Mickey" is a 1982 U.S. new wave song recorded by singer and choreographer Toni Basil. Written by Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn as "Kitty", it was first recorded by UK popular music group Racey during 1979...
."
Adolfo Quinones starred as Ozone in the street dance films, Breakin and Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo. He also did the choreography for Madonna
Madonna (entertainer)
Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
's "Who's That Girl
Who's That Girl World Tour
The Who's That Girl World Tour is the second concert tour by American singer-songwriter Madonna. The tour supported her third studio album, True Blue , as well as the soundtrack Who's That Girl . It was Madonna's first world tour, reaching Asia, North America and Europe...
" tour. His awards include the "Lifetime Achievement Award" for outstanding contributions to hip-hop from The Carnival: Choreographer’s Ball
The Carnival: Choreographer’s Ball
The Carnival: Choreographer’s Ball show is the longest running dance show in Southern California, and a popular monthly showcase of the top/elite choreographers in the world...
and the Drama Critic's Circle Award for Best Choreography for the musical "Standup Tragedy".
Fred Berry would later find greater fame in the role of "Rerun" on the ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
sitcom What's Happening!!
What's Happening!!
What's Happening!! is an American television sitcom that aired on ABC from August 5, 1976 to April 28, 1979. The show premiered as a summer series. With good ratings and reviews, and after the failure of several other shows on the network, What's Happening!! returned in November 1976 as a weekly...
. One episode would feature a performance by The Lockers (except for Toni Basil). Berry also makes a cameo appearance in Toni Basil's "Shoppin' from A to Z" Video.