The LEGENDARY...INCOMPARABLE
CHOLLY "POPS" ATKINS

It's with great sadness to announce that legendary choreographer Cholly "Pops" Atkins passed away on April 19th. Ron Tyson wanted to send this message to encourage you all to keep Cholly and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Cholly Atkins worked with Motown artists such as The Supremes, The Four Tops, Smokey Robinson, Gladys Night, Marvin Gaye and The Temptations. He also worked with The O'jays, Love Committee and Aretha Franklin to name a few. He taught us to command the stage in ways that would enhance our performances and "sell" our songs. Not only did he teach...but he constantly educated our minds......teaching us respect for our craft, respect for other artists, and pride in who we are what we have to offer as entertainers. Cholly was a true unsung hero and second father to many in the music industry. "Pops" will be greatly missed...we'll always love him and cherish the great times we had with him. He will be forever in our hearts.
---Love Always, RON TYSON


Pick up Cholly's book... "CLASS ACT"


Cholly has a video message for The Temptations. (2002)


In this video clip, watch Cholly as he teaches The Temptations (Ron, Otis, Melvin, Ali, and Richard) how to do the *NEW* Temptations walk....from the video "The Temptations and The Four Tops", hosted by Stevie Wonder (1989)


This is a video clip of Honi Coles and Cholly Atkins, two of the greatest tap dancers of all time...showing their fancy footwork as well as their singing talents...from a video called "Variety at the Apollo Theatre" circa 1950.

REAL PLAYER***** WINDOWS MEDIA

Photos are from the "CHOLLY ATKINS COLLECTION©" from the book "Class Act"...Click on photos for larger view. Place your mouse over the photos for a description.

Cholly Atkins, Slappy White, Frank Wess, Billy Eckstine, Pete Nugent, and Honi Coles relaxing at a Chicago Nightclub (1947) Cholly Atkins (1914) & Cholly and brother Spencer (1917)
Cholly Atkins coaches teenager Aretha Franklin, then a new artist at Columbia Records (1960) Cholly Atkins and Dotty Saulters with the Cab Calloway Revue (1943)
Cholly Atkins and Honi Coles, On stage (1955) Cholly Atkins and Honi Coles, On stage (1948)
Cholly Atkins and his wife Maye (1998)

The following "stills" are from "The Tempts and The Tops" video (1989).

REST IN PEACE "POPS" :*o(


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