Frankie Manning: A Legend Lost

Select ratingGive it 1/5Give it 2/5Give it 3/5Give it 4/5Give it 5/5

Frankie Manning last September. Photo by Matt Porter

Swing legend Frankie Manning, 94, passed away early this morning, April 27, 2009. He will be greatly missed by his dear friends and family throughout the international dance community.

When FLYP met up with him last fall, Frankie was suffering from health problems and undergoing hip surgery. But in his typical optimistic way, Frankie looked forward to recovering and getting back on the dance floor. Dancers from around the world planned to celebrate his 95th birthday with a weekend-long gathering in New York on Memorial Day weekend.

As one of the original dancers in the Lindy Hop scene, Manning inspired many of the moves that continue to circulate on the dance floor. As it says on his Web site, “he was a kind and generous soul who could light up a room with his smile. He will be greatly missed.”