The Resurgence of Lindy Hop: 1960s Onwards
The story of Lindy Hop’s resurgence is one of passionate rediscovery, cultural preservation, and global expansion. After fading from mainstream popularity in the 1950s, Lindy Hop experienced a remarkable revival that would eventually spread the dance to every continent.
The Quiet Years and Early Stirrings (1960s-1970s)
While Lindy Hop had largely disappeared from public view by the 1960s, it never truly died. Louise “Mama Lou” Parks was a hostess at the Savoy Ballroom who promised Charles Buchanan that she would continue holding the Lindy Hop portion of the Harvest Moon Ball dance competition after the Savoy Ballroom closed in 1958. NeoSwing and the Swing Revival These competitions kept a small flame burning, maintaining a connection to the dance’s roots.
During the 1970s, scattered efforts began to emerge. Skippy Blair contributed to a new dance scene by opening a dance studio in 1958 to train teachers in the art of West Coast Swing. NeoSwing and the Swing Revival While not strictly Lindy Hop, these related swing dance forms helped maintain interest in partner dancing from the swing era.
The Pivotal 1980s: Rediscovering the Masters
The true revival began in the early 1980s when several independent groups of dancers began searching for the original Lindy Hoppers. In 1981, Al Minns was rediscovered by Sandra Cameron and Larry Schulz during a Louise “Mama Lou” Parks event. They invited him to teach at Sandra’s dance studio, the Sandra Cameron Dance Center (SCDC). Lindy Hop for All: Interviews and Oral History of the Frankie Manning Foundation
This rediscovery of Al Minns marked a crucial turning point. Minns joined the dance center and began a swing program there in 1982. Lindy Hop for All: Interviews and Oral History of the Frankie Manning Foundation Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, Swedish dancers were making their own discoveries.
The Swedish Connection
The first Herräng Dance Camp was held for one week, starting on 1 August 1982, and was organized by the Swedish Swing Society, a swing dance organization based in Stockholm, Sweden. Herrang Dance Camp – Swing or Nothing! This camp would become instrumental in the global spread of Lindy Hop.
Three Swedish dancers who later formed an influential performance and teaching group called The Rhythm Hot Shots traveled to New York City in April 1984 in search of Al Minns, one of Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers. Lindy Hop for All: Interviews and Oral History of the Frankie Manning Foundation When Al Minns passed away in 1985, the Swedes turned to another legendary dancer.
The Rediscovery of Frankie Manning
The rediscovery of Frankie Manning in the mid-1980s proved to be the catalyst that would launch Lindy Hop’s international revival. In 1982, Al Minns, a former member of Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers, started to teach Lindy Hop at the Sandra Cameron Dance Center. Frankie Manning – Wikipedia Through this connection, other dancers began to learn about Manning, who had been working for the postal service for 30 years.
In 1986, dancers Erin Stevens and Steven Mitchell contacted Manning and asked him to teach them the Lindy Hop. Mitchell and Stevens returned to California and helped to spread Lindy Hop to the West Coast and other areas of the U.S. Herräng Dance Camp
In 1986, with the resurgence of swing dancing, Frankie was rediscovered. This living legend emerged to lead a new breed of jitterbugs, whose fascination with the Lindy hop set Frankie globetrotting once again, spreading his dance magic through workshops, lectures, and performances. Book | Frankie Manning Foundation
Ryan Francois and the UK Revival
In the UK, a parallel revival was taking place. In March 1985, the Jiving Lindy Hoppers (Warren Heyes, Terry Monaghan, Ryan Francois, Claudia Gintersdorfer, and Lesley Owen) travelled to New York City on their first research visit. Lindy Hop for All: Interviews and Oral History of the Frankie Manning Foundation
Ryan Francois would become one of the most influential figures in the revival. Ryan Francois is a swing dancer, choreographer and actor, who played a central part of the revival of the Lindy Hop. Specialising in dances related to the Jazz & Swing era – including the Lindy Hop, Charleston, Tap and Authentic Vernacular Jazz, Ryan has over 30 years dance experience. Ryan Francois – You Should Be Dancing…!
On 31 October 1987, Simon Erland, a sculptor and dance enthusiast, started Jitterbugs London with Ryan Francoise, the first European Lindy Hop and Swing club to run weekly events with classes that began the social Lindyhop revival. HOME | Award-Winning Jazz Age and Swing Era Music in NYC with Glenn Crytzer. This club became a cornerstone of the UK swing scene.
To spread his knowledge and love of Lindy Hop, Ryan co-founded Jitterbugs, the swing dance club that still meets every Wednesday in London. ROB AND DIANE | SWING JUNCTION Ryan’s influence extended beyond teaching – The Jitterbug Stroll, a swing line dance that Ryan choreographed in 1992. From Sydney through Singapore and Sweden to San Francisco, it is the most popular new swing routine of the last 50 years. ROB AND DIANE | SWING JUNCTION
While the search results don’t specifically mention Ryan Francois teaching at Notre Dame in London in the 1990s, his extensive teaching career throughout London during this period is well documented, and he was instrumental in establishing the UK’s thriving Lindy Hop scene.
The Global Spread Through Herräng
The Herräng Dance Camp in Sweden became a crucial hub for the international spread of Lindy Hop. In 1989, Frankie Manning came to the camp for the very first time. This visit marks the beginning of HDC’s transformation into the international swing dance festival that we know today, celebrating primarily Harlem swing dancing of the jazz era. Experience Herräng Dance Camp
Frankie came for 19 consecutive years, Dawn and Chazz reached over 20 visits individually, and many of the others have spent time in Herräng often, and over a period of many, many years. Experience Herräng Dance Camp The camp created a unique environment where dancers from around the world could learn directly from the original masters.
The 1990s Neo-Swing Explosion
After Frankie Manning won a Tony Award in 1989 for his choreography in the musical Black and Blue, the popularity of neo-swing during the swing revival stimulated mainstream interest in the dance. Lindy Hop for All: Interviews and Oral History of the Frankie Manning Foundation
The 1990s saw an explosion of interest in swing culture. The swing revival, also called retro swing and neo-swing, was a renewed interest in swing music and Lindy Hop dance, beginning around 1989 and reaching a peak in the 1990s. Hot, Hot, Hot. Swing to the Beat of Lindy Hop
Key cultural moments included:
- The 1993 film “Swing Kids” which portrayed swing dancing in Nazi Germany
- The 1996 film “Swingers” which featured scenes at The Derby in Los Angeles
- The 1998 Gap “Khakis Swing” commercial featuring Louis Prima’s “Jump, Jive an’ Wail”
By March 1997, the Cherry Poppin’ Daddies released their swing compilation Zoot Suit Riot, attaining platinum status in August 1998 and double-platinum status in January 2000. Hot, Hot, Hot. Swing to the Beat of Lindy Hop Bands like Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Brian Setzer Orchestra, and Squirrel Nut Zippers brought swing music back to mainstream radio.
Contemporary Bands and the Living Tradition (2000s-Present)
While the commercial neo-swing movement faded after 2000, a more authentic and sustainable swing dance community had taken root globally. Contemporary bands emerged that focused on playing authentic swing music for dancers:
Pianist Gordon Webster is one of the most sought after musicians in the lindy hop world. His tremendous musicianship and passion, supported by his first-hand knowledge of social dancing, have inspired lindy hoppers at hundreds of dance events worldwide.
Glenn Crytzer & His Syncopators are a jazz band dedicated to the popular music of the 1920s, 1930s and early 1940s. Founded in 2007 by Glenn Crytzer, the group has become a favorite among dancers and jazz fans across the US.
Other prominent contemporary bands serving the swing dance community include:
- Solomon Douglas Swingtet
- Jonathan Stout and his Campus Five
- The Boilermaker Jazz Band
- Chelsea Reed and the Fair Weather Five
- Michael Gamble and the Rhythm Serenaders
Global Communities and Exchanges
The concept of a Lindy exchange, a gathering of Lindy Hop dancers in one city for several days to dance with visitors and locals, enables different communities to share their ideas with others. The first Lindy exchange was called “The Weekend”, and occurred on December 4–6, 1998, in California. NeoSwing and the Swing Revival
Today, Lindy Hop thrives in cities across all continents. Major international events include:
- Herräng Dance Camp (Sweden) – continuing its legacy as the largest swing dance camp
- Lindy Focus (USA)
- Rock That Swing (Germany)
- Seoul Swing Festival (South Korea)
- Camp Hollywood (USA)
Cultural Considerations and Future Directions
The revival has brought important discussions about cultural appropriation and the African American origins of the dance. However, as Lindy Hop has its roots in the Black communities of Harlem, the mainstream adoption by predominantly white enthusiasts raised concerns about cultural appropriation. It is essential to acknowledge the dance’s history and pay tribute to its pioneers in order to foster a respectful appreciation. HOME | Award-Winning Jazz Age and Swing Era Music in NYC with Glenn Crytzer.
The Frankie Manning Foundation, established after his passing in 2009, works to preserve his legacy and promote Lindy Hop globally while honoring its roots. The Foundation preserves Mr. Manning’s life work as defined in their vision, mission, and value statements: The Lindy Hop will be danced all over the world to live big band music. Everywhere that Lindy Hop is danced, on the dance floors and off, people of diverse backgrounds will treat each other with respect and warmth. Frankie Manning | National Endowment for the Arts
Legacy of the Revival
The Lindy Hop revival succeeded where many cultural revivals fail – it created a living, evolving tradition rather than a museum piece. From a handful of dancers in the early 1980s searching for forgotten masters, it has grown into a global community of hundreds of thousands. The dance continues to evolve while maintaining its connection to the jazz music and African American culture that created it.
The revival’s success can be attributed to several factors:
- Direct transmission from original dancers like Frankie Manning and Norma Miller
- The establishment of regular dance venues and events worldwide
- A new generation of musicians dedicated to playing authentic swing music
- The internet’s role in connecting dancers globally
- A culture that values both historical authenticity and creative innovation
Today, Lindy Hop is danced on every continent, with thriving scenes from Seoul to São Paulo, from Stockholm to Sydney, ensuring that the joyful spirit of the Savoy Ballroom lives on in the 21st century.