Original Stroll Taped February, 1958
The Diamonds are a Canadian vocal quartet that rose to prominence in the 1950s and early 1960s with 16 Billboard hit records. The Diamonds' biggest hits were 1957's "Little Darlin'"and "The Stroll" (#4, 1957), an original song written for the group by Clyde Otis, from an idea by Dick Clark.
The Stroll
The Steps
The stroll is done in two parallell lines (leads on one side, follows across the divide.) A simple basic step-pattern is performed in such a fashion that the line advances, or moves one pace with each pattern. Individuals on each end pair up and perform a "shine" routine as they proceed down the line; at the end, they separate and rejoin the lines. This formulation is part of many "contra" dances that were done in the US and Europe for centures. Thus, in one sense, the Stroll has been with us for a long time.
Here is our best verbal attempt to capture the essence of the "stroll step" -- it will help you decipher the video link given below. If you can improve on this, or if you have an instructional video, please Contact Us and we'll be glad to put it on the site!
Stand, feet about 24" apart. (this is "open")- Cross right over left (i.e. weight on left, cross with right and go back to open stance)
- Back to "open"
- Cross right over left
- Back to "open"
- Left foot behind and to the right of your right foot
- hold, weight on left, almost leaning back
- Move right foot to the right so that you are standing with feet apart, left slightly behind you must move the right foot so that it is about 10-12 inches from where it started
- Move left foot forward, in same line as right to "open"
You are now standing with feet apart in open stance but about a foot to the right of where you started The next bar (8 counts) is the mirror image
- Cross with Left over right
- Back to "open"
- Cross with left over Right
- Back to "open"
- Step right 12 "
- Left behind right, weight on left
- hold, weight on left, almost lean back
- step with left to "open"
The opposite line does the mirror image of this. Boys in one line, girls in the other.
At the top of the next bar, the persons on each end join in closed position and execute twirls, promenades, etc, etc as they proceed to the far end of the lines where they separate and become part of the line again. With each bar, the line advances so that a new couple forms and begins the promenade.
Here is a video of Dick Clark talking about the Stroll while the kids on Bandstand perform it.
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