The Watusi, as advertised in a bar window.

The Watusi is a solo dance that enjoyed brief popularity during the early 1960s.^[1] It was almost as popular as the Twist^{[citation needed]}. Its name came from the Batutsi tribe of Rwanda.

[edit] History

The Orlons, a vocal quartet from Philadelphia, had the biggest hit of their career as recording artists with their recording of the "Wah-Watusi" (Cameo 218), which debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart on June 9, 1962 and remained on the Hot 100 for 14 weeks; it peaked at #2 and held the position for two weeks.

This was not the only version of the song to hit the charts. On Jan 18, 1963, Chubby Checker released his single version of the "Wah-Watusi" (B-side of Cameo 221). Later that year, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles also recorded their own version. Popular covers of the song included Annette Funicello, The Isley Brothers and The Ventures.

Also in 1963, Puerto Rican jazz musician Ray Barretto had his first hit with a song called "El Watusi" and although he didn't invent the dancing style, he came to be typecast as connected to the style.^[2] Barretto's recording, "El Watusi" (Tico 419), debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart on April 27, 1963 and remained on the Hot 100 for 9 weeks; it peaked at #17 for 9 weeks.

[edit] Steps

In the classic Watusi, the dancer is almost stationary with knees slightly bent, although may advance forward and back by one or two small rhythmic paces. The arms, with palms flat in line, are held almost straight, alternately flail up and down in the vertical. The head is kept in line with the upper torso but may bob slightly to accentuate the arm flailing. The dance, which became popular in the American surf/beach sub-culture of 1960s, may be enhanced if one imagines that ones feet are on sand. [1]

[edit] References

1. ^ Oxford English Dictionary definition of "Watusi"
2. ^ "Grammy-winning Latin-jazz drummer Ray Barretto dies at 76", Houston Chronicle, 17 February 2006