DanceWith.co.uk

Dance with History 1940 to 1970

1945 British Jive Championships

"... includes a challenge match between world jitterbug champions and world jive champions."

1953 Cha Cha Cha

"Music is never static and by 1953 a further 'new' rhythm and dance swept Cuba. Enrique Jorrín recorded his tune 'La Engañadora' using a rhythmic pattern we now call Cha Cha Cha."

1954 Rock 'n' Roll

Bill Haley and his Comets record Rock Around the Clock.

1960 Chubby Checker records The Twist

"Easy to learn, fun to dance with its distinctive beat, young and old twisted the night away. The Twist brought with it a new idea: dancers do not need partners."

1966 Salsa as Cuban dance music

"The first self-conscious use of 'salsa' to describe modernized Cuban dance music came in 1966 by Venezuelan radio DJ, Danilo Phidiad Escalona."