Locking (originally Campbellocking) is a style of funk dance, which is today also associated with hip hop.

The name is based on the concept of locking movements, which basically means freezing from a fast movement and "locking" in a certain position, holding that position for a short while and then continuing in the same speed as before. It relies on fast and distinct arm and hand movements combined with more relaxed hips and legs. The movements are generally large and exaggerated, and often very rhythmic and tightly synced with the music. Locking is quite performance oriented, often interacting with the audience by smiling or giving them a high five, and some moves are quite comical in nature. A dancer who performs locking is called a locker. Lockers commonly use a distinctive dress style, such as colorful clothing with stripes and suspenders. Locking was originally danced to traditional funk music, such as that produced or performed by James Brown. Funk music is still commonly favored by locking dancers, and used by many competitions such as the locking division of Juste Debout. Locking movements create a strong contrast towards the many fast moves that are otherwise performed quite continuously, combined with mime style performance and acting towards the audience and other dancers. Locking includes quite a lot of acrobatics and physically demanding moves, such as landing on one's knees and the split. These moves often require knee protection of the sort. Today, the Locking for Life concept seeks to revive Locking by adapting it to a whole spectrum of current artistic and musical movements. As a link between the world today and the world of the first lockers, Locking for life acts as a channel for Lockings raw and authentic spirit. Locking emerged at school dances in Los Angeles in the early 70s. It was an era when the stereos were blasting the electrifying, socially conscious music such as Whats Going On by Marvin Gaye, Were a Winner by Curtis Mayfield, Respect Yourself by The Staple Singers and the ground-breaking Im Black and Im Proud and Soul Power by James Brown. While dancers were witnessing a new, rebellious funk sound, soul music was still fresh, offering its finest to the world with sweet tracks like Ottis Reddings Try a Little Tenderness and Its a Mans World, another gem by Mr. Brown. This soul/funk movement paired with a dynamic atmosphere in the streets of LA, was the context which inspired American dancer Don Campbells first moves, including his signature one: a clumsy freezing move. At the time, Don couldnt quite pull off the popular soul dance, The Funky Chicken. In annoyance with his own failure, he mimicked the move, but with a Don Campbell twist; he broke up its fluidity by locking each movement into a freeze. It wasnt rare to see Don Campbell using his style while imitating some of James Browns dance movements; hed jump several meters in the air while executing breathtaking floor moves and splits. By injecting this phenomenal power into soul dancing, Don Campbell aka The King of Crenshaw (the club Mavericks Flats was located on Crenshaw blvd) created and inspired a spectacular and impressive new social dance, which later

became an authentic performance. Campbellocking will always retain the essence of this festive spirit that is warm with the sun and fun of California. A Soul Train named desire At its inception, Campbellocking was a secret reserved to LA clubbers as well as college and high school party dancers. It was only when Don Campbell appeared on TVs Soul Train with other street dancers like Charles Robot Washington and Jimi Scooby doo Foster, that Campbellockings magnetic power acquired nation wide recognition. From that point, the world imitated this dance movement that had already swept the streets of LA. Everywhere, dancers imitated Campbellocks dance moves and gestures: pointing at people, clapping and slapping their hands, and freezing in his signature lock pose. Don had thus injected many street gestures into dance by using them in locked poses that pause the movement in time to the chunky rhythm of the music. Of all the dancers that joined the Campbellocking movement, Greg Pope would have the most direct influence on both the street and the performance of Locking. Along with the GoGo Brothers, Tony & Buddy GoGo, and James SkeeterRabbit Higgins , Greg was widely regarded as the creative link between the clubs and the high school dance events. Working closely with his mentor Don, Greg was often referred to by the nickname of Campbell Junior. While Greg combined his own innovations with Dons style, he also infused his dancing with the many moves and steps pioneered by other street dancers. This shaped Locking into a structured and developed performance. Greg taught this structure to several members of the original group and helped to create what we know Locking to be today. Being a dance that is social and collaborative in its synchronized movements, Locking needs to be shared. Greg Pope, who is now known as Campbellock Junior, was thus a teacher, teaching the vocabulary and intricacies of Locking to talented young dancers and therefore ensuring that the dance would live on. Meanwhile, a dance movement was burgeoning in the gay community. Inspired by the Cambpellocking style, show business and the fashion world, Lockings wrist rolls and poses were incorporated into another style named after the gay community: Punking. This dance had other names as well. Inspired by the actress Greta Garbo, Punking was also known as Garbo. Others called it Waacking, which describes the dances uses of flailing arms. It is also known as Voguing and was later featured in Madonnas music video, Vogue. In tandem with the Locking movement, this dance showed creativity and spontaneity. Street to Stage: The Campbellock Dancers The Locking movement took off in the streets of Los Angeles in 1972, introducing many street legends. In 1973, Toni Basil. a choreographer already well known on the Jazz circuit, would convince Don Campbell to form a group of Locking dancers. The Unison Street movement along with Dons solo improvisational style now emerged. When Greg Campbellock Junior left inner-city street group Creative

Generation to join Dons group , The Campbellock Dancers, the group went through some changes and was later was renamed The Lockers. The Lockers comprised of Don "Campbellock" Campbell, Greg "Campellock Junior" Pope, Bill "Slim Robot" Williams, Fred "Rerun" Berry, Leo "Fluky Luke" Williamson, Toni Basil and Adolfo "Shabba-doo" Quinones. Throughout the previous year, the dance had been evolving from a couples dance to a stage act. Dancers now faced the audience in different formations and did various synchronized steps in between solo improvisations. Reminiscent of the dance moves seen in the streets and high schools as well as moves previously invented by groups like The original GoGo brothers and Creative Generation, Locking now incorporated many steps and styles including The Robot, The Scoobydoo, The Skeeterrabbit and others. The creation of this dance group indicated that Locking had broken through to the professional entertainment world. This group remains firmly established as a street dance legend. Bringing together dancers highly adept at improvisation and synchronicity in their performances, the group put together the most breathtaking shows. For the first time, the world was able to see what was going on in the clubs, streets and high schools of Los Angeles. On stage, The Lockers amalgamated street style with stage tradition by wearing street fashion and classic stage garb in playful combinations. On any given night, you could walk in a club or dance in the hoods of LA and see tuxedoes, tail coats, butterfly bows, suspenders, brimmed hats, multi-colored shoes and striped socks. This is what the pioneers of Locking sported and which The Lockers went on to introduce to the world. As Locking gained popularity, the dance scene was flooded with elements of a Hollywood bygone era: double-breasted coats, vests, and wide-brim hats worn by the characters in 40s gangster movies. The Lockers were therefore in part responsible for a resurgence of the classy suits of the 30s and 40s. The baggy pants of the zoot suit had a purpose: it hid the knee pads they wore for their more acrobatic moves. Their softsoled shoes, marshmellows, is another example how their style was functional as well as aesthetic. Lockers further adapted this classic look by adding a flavour that was decidedly 70s. This was thus a sartorial hybrid of what the ritzy "Cotton Club" set would wear and the funky stylings of the Soul era. Thanks to Toni Basils aptitude in public relations, The Lockers increasingly appeared in the media and began constant touring, thus giving inspiration to other dancers to form their own Locking crews. These crews went on to many other fantastic developments. In 1974, The Lockers added street-dance pioneer James Skeeter Rabbit Higgins to their live performance and toured as the opening act for the world-famous Frank Sinatra. Throughout the 70s, other dances began to

spring up such as Popping or Boogaloo, taking their inspiration directly from Locking and particularly the robotic moves it innovated. In 1976 The Lockers went through other personal changes with the loss of Tony Basil and Fred Berry to other entertainment projects. The group added street pioneer Tony GoGo (a former member of the original GoGo Brothers). The Lockers broke up in 1977, following almost a four-year run of outstanding professional success hankfully, the split didnt indicate an end for Locking; in fact, its fate was far from that. During the late 70s, the spirit of Locking was kept alive in the media by two major personalities and former members of the Campbellock dancers. Fred Mr. Penguin Berry, starring in the TV show Whats Happening, played the hilarious role of Rerun and Adolfo Shabbadoo Quinones starred in and choreographed many TV shows like The Big Show, where he played a classy and suave character. Disco Fever The 1977 film Saturday Night Fever, directed by John Badham and starring John Travolta, also brought Locking to the world. Also directly inspired from the Campbellock movement, the disco dance style stemmed from Locking roots. The choreography in the movie can be attributed to the talents of a dancer by the name of Deni Terrio, who was the John Travoltas personal dance coach. After The Lockers and Locking itself became well known, Terrio, a regular in the suburban dance-contest circuit, began to show up at many local inner-city performances and clubs to learn from various pioneers. Terrio then learned some very basic Locking moves from Greg Pope and adapted them to disco choreography. Locking and the music that fostered it were therefore directly responsible for the dance and beats of the new disco era.

Big bang The 80s marked the fusion of West Coast-born Locking with New Yorks Hip hop culture, which would have a direct impact on lockers, and the spirit of the dance. The 1984 film Breakin, directed by Joel Silberg, starring AdolphoShabbadooQuinones, is a modern cultural artefact that illustrates the merging between the West and East of the United States. Filmed in LA, the feature film brings together four dance styles: Breaking, Popping-Boogaloo, Waacking and Locking. Despite the fictional nature Breakins plot, this film documents how west coast and east-coast dance movements catapulted from the confines of America into an international arena.

Lockings worldwide party had truly begun. Michael and Janet Jackson i ntroduced codes from the dance into their choreographies in collaboration with the dance group LA City Rockers. Tony Go-Go opened a school based on the art in Japan. Meanwhile, former Soul Train dancer and Shalamar singer Jeffrey Daniel perpetuated combinations of Moonwalk glides and Locking in his singing act and choreography. Locking, led by the likes of Jean-Paul Goude, went on to conquer France on the street and in clubs, naturally, but also among artists.

THE FOUNDATION

Many People are confused about what steps and moves make up what we know as The Original Foundation of locking, The beginning of Locking can be traced to one man, Don Campbell. In the late 1960s he put together several fad dances adding moves of his own (known as the "Lock") when performing. The original lock was created by accident: Don Campbell couldn't do a move called the 'The Funky Chicken' and stopped at a particular point whilst moving his arms, creating a 'locking' effect. He wasn't able to perform it fluently, for he couldn't remember which step to take next. (Even the acting towards the audience was spontaneous: when people started laughing at Don because of his unfamiliar moves, he responded by pointing at them.) These halts soon became popular as Don added them into his performances. The resulting dance was called Campbellocking, which was later shortened to Locking. In the early 1970s this set off a movement of Locking dance groups, notably Campbell's group The Lockers. Other lockers Jimmy "Scoo B Doo" Foster , Greggory 'Campbellock Jr.' Pope, Tony "GoGo" Lewis & James "Skeeter Rabbit "Higgins,Fred Mr Penguin' Berry, Leo "Fluky Luke ' Williamson, Damita Jo Freeman and others also helped set the foundation for the locking dance and clothes style. Clothes style can consist of loud striped socks, pegged pants that stopped at the knees, bright colorful satin shirts with big collars, big colorful bow ties, gigantic Apple Boy hats, and white gloves

Where and how were they developed ? and why are they done the way that they are ? The following is a list of some of the basic moves steps and gestures as they were developed by the various old school pioneers of the locking era. Most of this foundation was developed between the time Don Campbell introduced the first Locking movements in the early 1970s, and when the various Original Groups including the Lockers refined their performances in 1974.We call this the EVOLUTIONARY STAGE..

After those dates enthusiast developed groups and routines around the world. But most of their movements could only be based on quick visuals of what were thought to be the basics of the dance . There was an assumption that locking was based only on moves and rythem, with no purpose , background or fundamentals. In todays world of mass media there is the ability to learn what, why and how the artform and subculture of the dance affected the actual moves themselves. Although the actual movement The LOCK, which was Created by Don Campbell is a simple movement of hesitating or the Freezing of the Arms ,It was his flavor and unique timing while doing many of the social dances that led to the style. The actual Dance of Locking has incorporated many movements steps and stunts, although these are not technically considered Locks when done alone, but when put together with the unique freezing flavor they are considered to be associated with dance of Locking or Campbellocking. These steps and moves have been done in either or both solo sequences and synchronized routines, contrary to mass belief,these steps and movements where contributed by various dancers and entertainers, some prior to the existence of the dance of Locking itself, and also some were unique to signature moves of some of the Pioneers themselves, which help to form the dance in its evolutionary stages in the early 1970s, LOCKING DID NOT ALWAYS LOOK THE WAY YOU SEE IT TODAY. The very early stages of Locking,as Don Campbell exibited it back then, looked very different from todays style it only comprised of.. Pacing or Timing, arm Locks, Giving 5, Back front claps, basic STRAIT points, splits, dives and Basic knee drops Basic Locks: The hesitating or Freezing of the Arms to the beats of the music, where created By Don Campbell in the Late 1960s, early 1970s as he paused or froze while trying to do a popular social dance called the funky chicken between doing this and various other social dances and stunts.The pauses became known as locks or locking up. Later in the development Leo Flukey Luke Williamsonintroduced a unique Lock by placing the outer ridge of both of his hands on his waist and locking his elbows forward this became known as the Leo Lock Locking may be done in solo or in unison with two or more dancers doing steps or handshakes together. A locker may smile while performing to emphasize the comical nature of the dance; other times, a serious demeanor will be maintained to place emphasis on technique. Other important stylistic features are waving of arms, pointing, walking stationary and grabbing and rotating the cap or hat. Don

Campbell created the original freezes, incorporating his unique rhythm and adding gestures such as points and handclaps. Other dancers also adapted this style while creating other steps and moves. Locking is by nature an improvisational dance, but also consists of a set of signature moves of locking pioneers, However, many lockers alter or blend these with other moves or create their own variations. In general Lockers will often put a small pause and move up on the second and fourth beats to emphasize the locking. Break down/Rocksteady groovie walk in the squatting position, shift the pelvis to the side, then back to center and stand up then down and shift to the other side. Jazz split A semi-split done with one leg bent, which enables the dancer to get up again in one swift movement. Kick A high, quick kick of one leg while standing on the other. Knee Drop Drop to the knees with knees pointing inwards (into a W shape leg position). Leo Walk A funky two step where the first is an exaggerated step in a particular direction, followed by sliding of the second foot along the floor to meet the first. Lock/Double Lock Bending slightly forward with arms forming a circle downward, as if lifting a heavy object. Up Lock (Muscleman) Bending arms upwards, like the look of a strong man, and holding for a moment or two. Pacing A quick punch to the side then down, with hand starting just below the shoulder. (Fist should still be open.) Pimp Walk You kick then put your feet in a shoulder width V shape, but hands stay beside the dancer. Stop and Go Created by Jimmy "Scoo B Doo" Foster; starting with a muscle man lock, step back with one foot and punch, do a quarter turn in the direction of the back foot breakdown once, and then return reach-around to the same position. Stomp the cockroach Going down on one knee, with the other leg pointing out to the side, then pounding the floor. Floor Sweep

Using your hand to swiftly move left to right on the floor, as if using a cloth to wipe. Wrist Twirl Twirling wrists while moving arms up The Seek Doing a breakdown whilst rolling your arms in front of you and then lifting a hand up over your eyes as if you are looking/seeking for something Hitch Hike Arms up and then crossed in front of you, and then three hitchhiker thumbs up to the right and then the l

GIVING OR ASKING FOR FIVE (5) This is a hand slap that acknowledges an agreement either between Two people or oneself while dancing , Don Campbell incorporated this in between his Locks and social dances, The origin of Giving Five or Receiving Five had long been a tradition of acknowledgement in the Afro American community. This was an established ritual prior to Don incorporating it into his dancing. As people would smile and acknowledge there approval of a move, Don and other pioneers would often offer there hand (to recieve five),accepting a hand slap back was accepting approval. For a move or step. Giving Five is acknowledging something good taking place. Points. LOCKING POINTS A quick, extended pointing gesture coming from opposite shoulder, usually held for a few seconds for emphasis.

Later refered to as Uncle Sam points, for the U.S. armed forces recruiting poster, which featured the Uncle Sam caricature recruiting by pointing out a message .. Also pointing at a friend or partner was also a message or an acknowledgement in the African American Community, This was also a ritual of communication and was often done when two people had to greet across a distance even prior to it being incorperated, by Don Campbell into his dance style. The story goes , that while Don was dancing, a lady at a table was laughing at his unique style, So Don did what everyone was doing, he pointed at her to let her know that he saw her. and this was the very first and basic Locking point.Later as the dance developed double and triple points were introduced by other pioneers causing a more free flowing rythem to Locking. Back hand claps and Backfront hand claps were also very basic in the beginning , stopping and starting abruptly, they were often done alone while pacing or inbetween other moves, Don also incoorperated the very first wristrolls into his style.

later various combinations of wrist rolls and other moves were incorporated and done before backfront hand claps, Again this contributed to the continuity and evolution of the dance. THE SYCHRONIZED DANCE STEPS OF LOCKING Many of these steps were the product and the contributions of many Locking Pioneers. some were even from other dancers of diffrent dance styles. Again, technically these steps are not Locks, But they have been associated with the Dance of Locking for years. And they have been comprised to complete the evolution of the dance art form of LOCKING, These steps have been done alone. But they were often done in Duos, Trios, and by couples in the night clubs. to form a unison effect. This was the inspiration that existed prior to these steps being introduced into Locking performances, as routiens.. THE DON CAMPBELL WALK This was created by Don Campbell, himself it was sliding stepping movement used by Don to move forward in between Locks and stunts The Funky Guitar Hands positioned as if holding a guitar, and start walking backwards. Seen done by Damita Jo Freeman on many Soul Train shows, also instituded by Don Campbell and Damita Jo , as they danced as a couple in their earlier years, this was a gesture type movement used to simulate the rythem of the guitar. THE SCOOBY DOO, THE SCOOBOT, THE HITCHHIKE, THE SCOOBY WALK, SNEEK, QUICKIES /STOP N GO created by Jimmy Scooby doo Foster, the basic scooby doo ,is two handed up lock anouncement followed by a kick, step ,unity pose THE SNEEK / (Later referred to as the SEEK),QUICKIES(Later referred to as The Stop n Go) The sneek was a variation of the soul dance the breakdown ,but the upper body twisted from side to side swinging the outside arms up in a searching motion, later the inside arm was used by the lockers to allow camera angles during commercial performances. Qiickies, (sometimes called stop n gos) became a variation of the old sara walk dance move, but the quick movement imitaded the rubberband up move of a cartoon charecter. Scoo B Doo Created by Jimmy "Scoo B Doo" Foster; doing a muscle man lock then doing two separate kicks while pacing with one hand in time with the kicks Scoo B Doo walk

Created by Jimmy "Scoo B Doo" Foster; Walking forward, lifting leg up and bending your back towards the knee Scoobot Created by Jimmy "Scoo B Doo" Foster; One arm and leg out then switching to the other leg. Leg out and arms crossed then wrist twirl andclap behind Scoobot hop Slightly varied from scoobot with legs hopping towards the sides then the front.

THE SKEETERRABBIT,SKEETERRABBIT ( fancy style, Free style & around the world a kick and shuffle hop move, either at the sides and/or front and back.

created by James Skeeter Rabbit Higgins, This step was inspired by the shuffle moves of the nicholas brothers , and the street game of hop scottch, as skeeter added this ending onto the scoobydoo ,it became a continuous movement ,that he did various ways. The Skeeterrabbit has had many variation added by several pioneers but the most notable was the blending and acceptance of thestreetgang culture with Locking when the streetdance known as the CRIP WALK was first introduced as a finishing move added on to the Skeeterrabbit by Micheal Peekaboo Frenke and Leo Shaboo Walker HAT TWIRLES introduced into Locking, Had been done by various entertainers,the move was adapted by several locking dancers ,the most notables were Sneeky T and John Okey Doke Wilson It Later became known as one of Don Campbells signiture moves , but the basic hat spin was first taught to Don in 1974 by SKEETER RABBIT, while on the Lockers first major tour.

THE PIMP WALK( very similar to the Scooby walk ) Created by Greg Campbellock Jr. Pope , many of the move greg instituided into locking helped promote the free flow and continunity into the style, Greg also modified the scoobot into a hop move, some of the above mentioned moves such as the Sneek & The sto n go (Quickies) where created by Jimmie Scoobydo Foster , with impute from Greg Campbellock Jr.

THE WHICH A WAY (iron horse) THE LEO LOCK, LEO WALK ,KILLING ROACHES The WhichaWay introduced by Leo Flukey Luke Williamson as a locking move, it was influenced by Pat Davis, who did a modified style of the step on soul train, The Leo Lock was done by Leo and other double jointed Lockers who were able to locke their arms with their hands on their hips and their elbows in front of them. Leo walk is a side to side stepping and rocking motion, Killing roaches ws inspired from ghetto living, as one would slap the floor as if trying to kill bugs to the rythem of the music Altering twirl kicks to the sides first with either right and left legs, upper body stationary with arms in front.

THE SLOW MOTION.THE HELICOPTOR ,THE VOLKSWAGON introduced in Locking by Fred Mr. Penguin Berry, the slowmotion was a mime style imitation of locking, where everthing was slowed down and facial expressions was emphisized, the volkswagon was inspired by the driving of an mannual shift car, it imitated shifting and the lunging of a car to the rythem of the music, The helecopter was Pinguins way of pointing and acknowledging everyone around him in one continuous move THE KEEPA RUNNIN,THE SUPER FLY, The Sara Walk, created by Tony Lewis and Buddy Lombard ( GoGo Bros) the keepa runnin was a footwork, kick step slide move, the sara walk was a front back pace move, THE ALPHA A Fall back handspring type Floormove created and introduced into a unique style of of Locking by Alpha Omega Anderson, This included a spinning fast corkscrew style of Locking One leg is kicked forward from a crouching position while the upper body is leaned backwards can be supported by both hands or no hands at all.

STUNTS & SPLITS

Half Splits had often been done while dancing by previous entertainers, both singers and dancers , Dance groups like the Nicholas Brothers and The Sammy Davis Jr. Trio. In the 1960s/ 70s James Brown made the half split popular. Imitating The James Brown Dance and Steps that he did on stage was widely done in African American Social Parties this included half splits and floor moves called The Alligator Many moves and styles, such as the camel walk, the mash potatoes were incorporated from James Browns act.He was a tremendous influence Don Campbell also following the party influence, continued to do Half Splits and floor moves like Knee dropsin between his social Dancing and Locks, KICK SPLITS introduced into Locking by Don Campbell but done by James Brown , many tap dancers and party dancers prior. HIGH FLYING KNEE DROPS RUNNING KNEE DROPS as well as The SWAN Dive became part of Don Campbell instituted this into his style. BUTT DROPS(Master Butt Drop) created by John Sambo Lock McCloud, a dynamic and daring stunt, where the dancer would jump and leve both feet out in front of him , landing on his but in time with a beat in the music LOCKING HAND SHAKES First seen done by Damita Jo Freeman and Jimmy Scooby Doo Foster during The soul train Dance contest, Some Locking Handshakes were created by Greg Campbellock Pope , First done by Greg Cambellock Jr and Flukey Luke (see the video Watts Stax.) Several other handshakes were introduced by the ( GoGo Brothers)These hand shakes were representing the unity handshakes done on the streets of the inner city.