Peg Legged Bates? Real or a tall tale?

Subject: Peg Legged Bates? Real or a tall tale?
From: The Shambles
Date: 09 Nov 98 - 05:29 PM

My father used to tell me about seeing a dancer called Peg Legged Bates, who at the climax of his act would spin round and round on his wooden leg. Was this a Tall-Tale or did he really exist?

Subject: RE: Peg Legged Bates? Real or a tall tale?
From: Art Thieme
Date: 20 Nov 98 - 10:50 AM

Yes, I remember him too!(On the Ed Sullivan show, I think??!!)

But it was a normal leg---only wooden from the knee up! His wife died a terrible death. Terminal slivers!

Subject: RE: Peg Legged Bates? Real or a tall tale?
From: Bill D
Date: 20 Nov 98 - 01:46 PM

sure...I saw Peg-leg Bates...he was quite good..and I think Art is at least right about it being on Ed Sullivan in the late '50s...(oh..after typing this...did a search in Alta Vista..got 83 hits like... http://www.geocities.com/Broadway/Stage/1813/henryn.htm

it seems you can even buy a video with him as part of the list of stars..one place says he was on Ed Sullivan 22 times!

"My Uncle has a wooden leg..!"

"That's nothing..My aunt has a cedar chest" Ba-da-Boom!!

Subject: RE: Peg Legged Bates? Real or a tall tale?
From: Bert
Date: 20 Nov 98 - 02:12 PM

Talking of legs. Does anyone have the words to "Jake the Peg"
I remember seiing Rolf Harris perform this on TV yonks ago.
I only remember a few words....
He's Jake the Peg, deedle, deedle, deedle dum
with his extra leg, deedle, deedle, deedle dum

Subject: RE: Peg Legged Bates? Real or a tall tale?
From: The Shambles
Date: 21 Nov 98 - 11:38 AM

Well it didn't sound like it could be true but......

CLAYTON "PEG LEG" BATES was born on October 11th, 1907 in Fountain Inn, South Carolina. At the age of 12, he lost his leg in a conveyor belt while working at a cotton gin mill. His uncle fitted him with a wooden peg. Peg never thought of himself as handicapped and never felt sorry for himself. A dancer before the accident, he thought it only natural to keep on dancing. Peg Leg's refusal to give in to barriers plus his talent brought him fame on the vaudeville circuit playing all major theatres in the USA and Europe. In 1937 and 1938, he gave a command performance for the British King and Queen. He had an amazing 22 appearances on the "Ed Sullivan Show." In 1951, Mr. Bates and his wife Alice created the Peg Leg Bates Country Club in Kerhonkson, New York, one of the few black resorts in a then segregated America. The Catskill Mountain retreat was a mecca of entertainment for black families for nearly 30 years. His retirement in 1989 did not bring on inactivity. Mr. Bates is in demand speaking brfore senior citizens, colleges, the handicapped and the youth groups urging the students to stay off of drugs, stay in school, help stop racial prejudice, and tell their mothers that they love them. Mr. Bates brings a message of hope, courage, will power, perseverance, and determination. Being in his presence is a truly enriching experience.