St. Andrew's TeenSpot Salutes
Clayton "Peg Leg" Bates
(1907-1998)
Born in South Carolina in 1907, Bates lost his left leg at age 12 in a freak factory accident. Ever the entertainer, he was determined to continue dancing. And dance he did, to fame and massive acclaim. During his long career, Bates performed at Harlem’s Cotton Club, for the queen of England, and at least 20 times on The Ed Sullivan Show. He continued to tap-dance even after retirement, and until his death (in 1998) he lectured to audiences (particularly in the Ellenville area) about his life experiences, and the importance of tolerance among white and black, disabled and nondisabled.
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