Soul Train Dancer 'Bobcat' On Blending Dances | I Was A Soul Train Dancer | Soul Train Awards '22

[@marcodesantiago5273]

We SOUL TRAIN Dancers knew that BOBCAT was the real deal when he arrived. He was Broadway, Las Vegas, and Hollywood...all in one. Yet again BET has delivered excellence. We're grateful that BET has given us the platform to tell our own stories 🌿

[@CuirPhotodotNet]

....you all are cultural icons....and i am so glad you all are telling your wonderful experiences on ST....BOBCAT ....i was wondering when he was going to talk...and i am so glad he is doing well...now as i am sure you are well aware,...the PLANET....is waiting for DAMITA JO FREEMAN to tell about HER experiences on ST....she is STILL the ULTIMATE DANCER....and SPOKESPERSON of the show....nothing against the others...including JODY WATLEY...but DAMITA JO...was the one that obviously the most dynamic and inventive one on the show and the planet watched her like a HAWK......a true cultural phenomenon...we truly are waiting....and will not be satisfied until...SHE SPEAKS...

[@jarrellmason9080]

You all were the backbone of the show. Glad that BET is allowing the stories of the dancers to be told.

[@ramonasmith8678]

Shout Out To BET!!!

[@cocoaflabulous]

I loooove watching these episodes about you all. Salute and respect. P.s. I hope they do one on your dance partner Dina also...

[@annomaly751]

I bet you have some great stories from being on the show Marco

[@JacquelineHarris]

I can't believe you all were not paid. I believe you all were robbed of your true worth. You dancers set the Foundation for urban expressive dance. You are the culture. Thank you

[@wildhorse_untamed]

Omg...never knew they were not paid.

[@the4rtistandtheproduc3r]

I thought they were paid minimum wage? Rosie Perez said in her book they got very little money and they would serve you dinner during the break which consisted of two pieces of fried chicken and a biscuit. Which she eventually ended up throwing at Don Cornelius.

[@kimberleyike2168]

Of course, they weren't paid with money. Their pay was being able to be seen on the show. Everyone knows that.

[@ms.ladysanders3939]

Not really...Alot of dancers went on to do great things due to being discovered on Soul Train.

[@1990758]

@@wildhorse_untamed Everyone everyone knew before they went on soul train that they were not going to get paid.

[@corneliuswhite5139]

I love the confidence in Bobcat telling Don Cornelius, when compared to the other dancer "So??"

[@addicted367]

Me too that was so funny

[@jennifertate4397]

Yes. That was good. Sometimes "so" is the only word. 😁

[@sonquatsch8585]

absolutely.

[@umarbentley4953]

Don was a hater and had a huge ego problem.

[@HawaiiBlack]

He does what he does and that's awesome.

[@pixiestyx1766]

They seriously need to do a Soul Train "Bringing It Back" special. Saturday's was the day that mama said " if your stuff ain't done when it comes on, don't walk up in this living room." I miss my mama and I miss Soul Train.

[@marlonharrison5511]

That's up to BET

[@shethingsd]

We had Sat chores and that was the rule, too. You had to get those chores done on time!

[@TriniLush7]

They tried and they kept pushing the time back later and later because they kept pushing that garbage ass everybody loves Raymond show on everyone. They cancelled Cedric the entertainer's tv and Andre 3000's educational cartoon around the same time. They're not gonna bring it back because it displays black creativity!

[@pixiestyx1766]

I just don't understand that level of stupidity. They are always quick to say " The first black to do....." That's fine and its important for children to have roll models especially now.... however.... when this show was first broadcast it was beyond important. It was not just "another Black mindless" program. I am probably much older than you, this was OUR show. It was the first time I felt included. This show gave young people a chance to dream. It was a creative outlet for millions of people. People like Bobcat and Aretha, Rosie Perez, Tom Tom, Cheryl Song were talked about like we personally knew them. Not doing a special featuring these stars who opened the doors for so many of us is a missed opportunity. Not everyone see themselves in a rapper or a comedian but most can identify with the music and the artistic talent of the performers. People are quick to scream Black Pride but slow to honor those who we took pride in.

[@spacechimp6442]

Damn right!

[@KeigosWife617]

I love how strong, yet graceful his dance moves are. One of the many things I love about this series is each Soul Train dancer had a signature style or dance move they were known for.

[@nickfreshalive]

“They call him BOBCAT because he’s DANGEROUS.” Man, we don’t deserve him, but thank the UNIVERSE that he ended up with us!

[@blushbaby5278]

I remember his incredible body

[@erickanew]

He danced really professional. Great dancer

[@angelaortiz3406]

I love when The dances tell their stories❤

[@truthhurtz8517]

I miss this show... After the 1990s the show wasn't the same.. Bobcat was dancing his azz off back in the day.....

[@1990758]

Exactly I pretty much have about. Is 80% of the episodes from the eighties Once donn left it was never the same

[@stephensemien275]

I am soooo proud of my asst choreographer, dance captain and soloist LARRY 'BOBCAT' JEFFRIES ( Who can also sing and act) fie being featured on KZbin in their "I was a Soul Train dancer" series, because he is LEGENDARY! Never stop Cat! Your Brother and the Urban Arts Corp West family loves and is proud of you!

[@ramonasmith8678]

I, so love this interview with BobCat... Dude can dance for days and I love it. I, always liked his moves from day one. He's one of the best 👌

[@jean-paulreveyoso5546]

I like his intelligence!

[@mreynol1]

He said a WORD when he said he danced for himself and not for the camera. That is so true that when you dance for the camera it looks purposeful. But when you dance for yourself, then it looks interesting and that's why he got more camera time. While everyone else were slow dancing, him and his partner were doing modern dance with long arm extensions. How are you going to stand out if you are following everyone else? What a lesson for life!

[@kerenkares4473]

I have always danced to the rhythm and danced with MYSELF as if I split into 2 separate people (especially after I was tipsy 😁)I didn't need a partner so who was my dance partner ME this is how I would want my partner to respond to me especially when the drinks kicked in and enhanced the sensuality then I really got crunk sometimes dudes would show up and be messin up my flow it's only been a few that respected my freedom on the dance floor and didn't stifle it 😆😆😆😆 settin dem ITCHES on fire with my dance moves #DONT HATE THE DANCERS hate the rhythm they being led by🤣🤣😎

[@handiable]

Definitely! Be yourself.

[@tequilapapii5936]

*Ok BobCat you were and are an ICON. So many great memories 👏🏽 but them clothes.. were literally PAINTED on* 😈🤣

[@sonquatsch8585]

he knew he was fine too.

[@SB-ez3dw]

That man was… IS… BEAUTIFUL

[@MrBlackretreat]

He has meat !!!

[@FocalPointElisa]

I love Bobcat's journey...He put them on. "UNIQUE!"

[@jlnapoleon]

Soul train dancers = the most talented humble people on the planet with infinite stamina. Thank you

[@bryanedney2723]

Great to see that Bobcat is still around. Love this guy!

[@Avmuhammad64]

🙌🏾💞

[@Akintola57]

I love you back.

[@deborahpatterson7692]

Soul Train was absolutely the best ‘teacher’ for pre-party ! It was a must see back in the day. Damita Jo and Darcel were great dancers from John Muir under the tutelage of Ms Anita Leeds. After Don left it was done. RIP OG SOUL TRAIN

[@gritzgravy1760]

I never knew Bobcats partners name (Daphne)and she was one of my favorite dancers

[@Akintola57]

Daphne was my first partner and Areath was my second partner until I left the show.

[@dawnd.6361]

BOBCAT is an Icon who brought innovative dance styles/fashion to the forefront..Thank you!!

[@carsondouglas8600]

The men were jealous of him on the show. Don seen him in the form fitting tights and said no deal. 👀☝😆

[@1990758]

Yeah he was very protective of his show. That's why so train wouldn't work today it would be a straight freak show. Drama controversy.

[@sonquatsch8585]

well i think don respected the hell out of bc, but as u say felt he had to protect the conservative interests of the show. the problem is....we were watching ST from deep in the south in the country, and not ONE person batted an eye or had anything negative to say about bobcat or any other dancer. it was our venture into CULTURE and OUR culture at that so we knew we were witnessing black and artistic excellence, so indeed don underestimated the conservative black audience.

[@Ken-cd5vt]

Don was tempted

[@maldiviansun8500]

That was totally ST’s loss losing a Bobcat. He’s exceptional: his formal training added to the shows credibility and his vibe added to the uniqueness of the show.

[@sonquatsch8585]

100%

[@eddieb3759]

Whew “Bobcat” had it going on back then and now!

[@MrBlackretreat]

I love that that do iconic older legends ... i loved you all for giving love to all

[@inishametcalf7840]

He was sexy, smooth, and so live! Bobcat still looks good today. Very talented.

[@sonquatsch8585]

handsome man.

[@jaywholoveseveryone1721]

And, to add, BobCat was self-taught?!?! Amazing! ❤❤

[@sandradenmark7243]

I love me some Bobcat. He was the first that I remember that put elegance in his dances...one of my top 3 soul train dancers hands down...I also glad he was interview...

[@kells881]

Wow! While I could never single out one (or even 10 dancers) for that matter to be a favorite, because all of them were great! There are those who stood out & Bobcat definitely was one of them. I hope all of the dancers know how much they are loved & appreciated by so many of us who watched them on the regular. Just love these trips back down memory lane.

[@ColtraneAndRain]

My friend Lanny Mitchell and my cousin were dancers on ST. I watched from the stands. 😂 The 70's were fierce.

[@cuteguy9358]

Bobcat was revolutionary on this show & was soooo ahead of his time. Graceful, light on his feet & moved like butter. ❤💯

[@tredseeker]

Bobcat, you've shared the most interesting story yet, although all of them are unique & appreciated.

[@MrBarrywes]

Bobcat was a bad boy. He influenced the way I danced.

[@shanikasuevira8375]

I love watching all of their stories. What a time to be alive I’m sure. On another note I wish they would’ve gotten paid for all of their influence and hard work. I know some experiences are priceless but ain’t nun wrong with being paid for your talents. Much love to them for really impacting the community in a positive way ❤

[@LoveJungle420]

They 100% should have gotten paid.

[@willhaynes2190]

This was a Great Great show every Saturday

[@denise76]

He should be on Broadway with those moves!

[@blackscorpionlairgaming]

he did do Broadway in his younger years

[@MarionJordan11]

It’s the cartoon for me!!😂😂😂

[@Deemememe]

One of the things that I love about back in the days is how people were about their own style♥️♥️♥️ making outfits for themselves and each other. Wearing what matched their energy and style. The pride folks had for themselves.

[@terigiese1322]

ONG!!!This brings back SOOO many memories!!Watching that show was literally how I learned to dance!!🥰🚂🎼🎵🥁💃🏼

[@PDMarcano]

I met Bobcat at a party in LA back in 1989-90. Later that year we were both cast in an early version of The Children of The Night, a choreopoem by Stephen Semien. Cat and I danced together in several pieces that Steve created, and discovered we share the same birthday! Of course, I learned he was a Soul Train dancer, but this is the first time I've heard him really talk about his time there. Who would've guessed, when I was a teenager watching Soul Train, that one of its iconic dancers would become one of my bruthafriends? Love you, Cat!

[@lovevluv]

Bobcat looked sexy in those well-fitted dance fashions and danced so damn good that Don (god rest his soul) was "moved" by it and needed to shut it down before you know, it was contagious. I know I'm moved just watching this. NC reppin!! Inspirational.

[@N2LADIES55]

Don was hating on Bocat's bulge.

[@ICONICPARIS]

@@N2LADIES55 lol

[@LoveJungle420]

@@N2LADIES55 That's exactly what it was. Lol!

[@Vincent50]

What a dancer and body. I remember him.

[@heathertea2704]

Couldn't Miss bruh wearing those Leg Warmers nor his Talent. 😊

[@sappermade6012]

Soul Train was my favorite tv show as a kid ( even as a white kid growing up in the CT burbs) I grew up watching you!!! AWESOME :) :)

[@naries21]

What a good looking man ❤❤❤

[@alexpiper1115]

i know right. i cant take my eyes off him.

[@CosmicAli_TheObserver]

Gorgeous.

[@remideneaboko-colediakite823]

Wow. He was a DANCER dancer!

[@nataliemscrzysxycoolharris]

Oh my do I remember him! He was one of my faves.

[@Salih.EduBlock]

BobCat! Still looks fantastic. I love the back story.

[@kaylad4486]

From watching these videos I can tell that Don hated it when men expressed themselves in a way that wasn't considered the norm at the time.

[@sirpoppinchuck]

Same thing happened to me with Eric he took me out "The Line" I wanted to go down ha! ha! His look was tooo serious when Don Told him about Mr X comin off tour. 😳 ha! ha! He wasn't playin. You could tell he was a trained dancer he stood out big lines , kicks, smooth turns etc. It worked well with the slow songs looked good for the ballads. If you didn't know Bobcat's name you knew him when he danced, foreal!

[@hermit7903]

This was a good behind the scenes recap!

[@zivaray]

Beautiful man!!!!!

[@ContrastY]

"Uh..... Do you have some pants that you can put on"???? 😂 😂 😂

[@wandaclark5020]

I still watch all the old episodes just about everyday.

[@Chrissy206]

Iconic dancer!

[@caesarjay1665]

Bobcat is an Icon !!!!! I love these history lessons . I wish we could hear more of his life stories….

[@meghanwilliams4295]

Phenomenal dancing. AMAZING BODY. I've never seen anything like it.

[@HeyMsVal]

Love this series!!! Especially the cartoon depictions❤❤❤❤❤

[@kerenkares4473]

Cartoon characters part's are so fun to watch and it's not fancy expensive complicated animation that's what I really like about it 👍🏽🤓

[@TheBluesmanBlue]

The legendary bobcat have spoken a soul train legend 🏆🤜🏽🎶🤛🏽

[@eddiethorne6461]

I will never forget when Bobcat danced with the woman .They and all of the dancers danced off of Aretha Franklin`s song Respect.This was in the 1970`s so the song was 5 to 10 years old by then but that was one of his most memorable dance performances to me that he was in.

[@MsTexas73]

Soooo glad to hear Bobcat’s story. Very interesting. He was one of my favorites from the late 70s-early 80s era. 🤗❤️💫✨

[@momcolorloveallcolors474]

love Soul Train I love different dancing different culture different style and different music❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@jayelove1504]

I've always loved Bobcat....he was fine and could really dance his style was so unique and different....and I'm a fan of different....I loved Aretha Jackson too...Cheryl, Daphne, and female dancer I nickname Tinkerbell....the one that prances from side to side and rocks to the floor...she the flowing shoulder length mushroom hair cut....very pretty....Soul Train during the 20th century was the show to watch....at lot changed across the board when the new millennium came in.🥰💜

[@nowuknow7364]

He original LeRoy.

[@yeahisaidit5633]

😂

[@Teesclips]

Each dancer share their experience very well. I am glad Bobcat explained how he danced to a different part of the music that moved him.

[@rodneyplayer5785]

I love these Soul Train Dancer stories. I grew up watching these people dance on television every Saturday.

[@ladyindaroom]

As a child, I loved to dance. Even as a teenager. I always was inspired by the Soul Train dancers. I love these stories sooooooo much. Ladies, I really am being inspired to even dance again to burn off these extra pounds. Dance is beautiful!!!!!!

[@andybean3654]

You can see that he Loved dance.

[@tyardovdabulldht2340]

This DUDE was a class act! 👌

[@ericbush6124]

Inventive talented dancer Soul Drain imitated never duplicated

[@clarencesimmons8580]

That's Soul Train, Eric!!!!!!!

[@QueenBees456]

I like the animation they have in these videos it really adds to the story. He was amazing…he screams fosse…NY… all that jazz moves… something you don’t typically see on Soul train.

[@torijohnston8540]

Go head on bobcat!

[@rialequay1787]

Now that's a dancer!!

[@diva70smusic]

Bobcat was one of my favorites. I thought he was so smooth and fine!!

[@handiable]

Awesome Dancer! I love his creativity and style. All of the dancers are awesome and in a class by themselves. This is refreshing and rejuvenating, a break from politics. This is the life.

[@chulababy2120]

I wish when they do the BET awards they will do a Soul Train performance with the surviving soul train dancers

[@1990758]

I wish they would show all the reruns from the very beginning up to the end.

[@seand67]

Great episode!!

[@clarencesimmons8580]

Wait do you see next episode, Debra Winters, Rosie Perez, Robin Power, Nick Cannon and Emanuel Reed. on "I was a Soul Train Dancer"💃🏼💃🏽💃🏾🕺🏾🕺🏿

[@bizztopper]

Man this guy was the best dancer on there! I love the ballet like movements and jumps! They should have a soul train anniversary special and bring all of these guys back!

[@susanhurst3292]

Keep this great videos coming!!!

[@kevseb66]

I remember Daphne well. Her hair was always so bouncy.

[@sonquatsch8585]

easily the best. this man makes you love him. just wow.

[@kavataward2908]

They gonna ask them about that chicken every episode 😂

[@WholeHeartily]

He is FLYYYYYYY!!!!!!

[@evamonroy8110]

You are an amazing talent. I loved watching you and didn't know your background. You WERE a PIONEER and I admire you greatly. Dancing is in my heart too. Thank you for your contribution to our culture. ❤️💞😎

[@kevinhanson6106]

@eva Very well said! 💯💯💯

[@Akintola57]

Thank you so much.

[@marciabelldbampaha5149]

I just discovered this show. I love hearing these stories.

[@ICONICPARIS]

Such a handsome and sexy man!! I know he made the BIG BUCKS exotic dancing. I loved the way he moved.

[@thekeith-donovanexperience]

Much love and respect to the dancers all over! 💃🏽 🪩 🕺🏽

[@Cre80s]

Every time I see Ernie Barnes’ “Sugar Shack” painting (the one in the Good Times intro), my imagination sees them dancing like THIS guy, 'cause his longass arms and style just seem to match it in my mind for some reason.

[@wildbloomsings456]

BOBCAT! You was aLways my favorite cat!!! You epitomize dance. You and Aretha were the epitome of art, grace, styLe and beauty in dance. BIG LOVE to you my dear.

[@TriniLush7]

Tell me you got all the ladies without telling me you got all the ladies! 😍😍😍

[@sharjjahnaziz4122]

Thank God he survived during the Epidemic

[@MelodyMaker151]

The one I was WAITING FOR!! ❤

[@WholeHeartily]

I love Aretha’s interview. She credits him with putting her on

[@johnnynephrite6147]

Cova yo eyes chile, dat dudes junk was bulgin in that gray unitard.

[@TheAbxgirl]

That Dennys should be a landmark with the City of LA with the connection with Soul Train.

[@MichaelStokes86]

Born and raise in my hometown of Burlington, NC! Cool!

[@KeigosWife617]

I wish there was an event called "The Soul Train Experience". The concept is to travel to nightclubs all over the U.S. and rebuild them like the Soul Train set. The event can be hosted by different Soul Train dancers. If it hasn't already been done, I think it would be great idea.😊

[@tracylee4451]

Another one of my favorites! I remember every clip of him that was presented in this video. Great memories 👌

[@PSA3377]

I learned how to dance back in the day watching soul train . American Bandstand was just , stagnant .