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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
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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 -
RELATED LINKS:
McDonald’s Commercial
ESPN.com Roll Bounce Article
The Atlanta Daily World Roll Bounce Article
Contact Bill or submit your questions related to the Jammin’ technique.
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