Original Soul Train Dancer Thomas Evans aka TomTom Recalls How He Stood Out On The Show & The Line!
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- Опубликовано: 30 сен 2024
- Original Soul Train Dancer Thomas aka 'TomTom' recalls his best moments on Soul Train and how me made sure to stand out. #IWasASoulTrainDancer #SoulTrainDancer #ThomasEvans
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I've noticed almost all of these Soul Train dancers interviewed look and sound healthy and in a good place.... And that is a beautiful thing.....
It is
80s and 90s generation the best
I know right!!
The dancing kept the youthful & energized it seems!
Great cardio!!!!!
P Diddy should watch this and take some notes 😒. Seriously.
Is it just me or did every last one of these dancers find a fountain of youth? Dancing really does keep you young!!
@EnJoy Life And Smile Yes the food back then wasn't filled with toxic poisons and fillers that blow up the body and make you sick like it does today.
@@imari2305 So true!
fountain of youth? It was soul train! lol
Anything that gets you moving. What happens to water that doesn’t move?
Exercise and fashion
Tom Tom may not have been the best dancer, but his looks and swag makes up for it.
If you noticed, as his time moved forward on the show, his dancing skills actually got better, he had some pretty cool dance moves, like the "TomTom"...
I love his little dance moves
@@ShawnC.T. that's a great observation. Not fully a "fake it, til you make it" thing, but had he not been around that level of free kind of dancing, he nay not have improved. Cool stuff ✌🏽
Tom was one of the better dancers.
@@casey4602 he really wasn't. He had stage presence though.
What a nice, humble man. I was a young, white, female pre-teen living on a farm in rural Indiana in those days and never missed an episode of Soul Train!
Like most of us in America we watched both Soul Train & American Bandstand.
@@kathyflorcruz552 so true
I love how all of them seemed to gracefully walk away from Soul Train when they knew it was time. I’ve heard no stories of anyone being fired or having negative feelings about their time there. They all seem at peace and happy with the experience and content with life afterwards. Totally awesome.
they all liked to dance first so that helps. like it was a hobby for them. they got to be on t.v. and it gave them some opportunities here and there. a lot of them that started in the 1970s and 1980s got out by early-mid 1990s
people were content back then, just listen to the lyrics of all the songs...nobody was complaining about everything because you'd look like a clown in those days.
I grew on soul train during this era and remember the "pie incident" in real time. But yeah, it seems like none of them had anything bad to say. It was such a good time back then for the dancers, and for the viewers....
I think people where generally more at peace back then. No victims, or entitlement. Easy going people with GREAT 80’s MUSIC!
I'm a professional dancer and we love soul train, but the show was a cautionary tale about knowing your worth. These dancers weren't compensated at all for their time or effort. That is a travesty considering the cultural hallmark the show is.
Even social media will pay people for their effort in content creation. People should know their worth. I know a ton of dancers from soul train that have spoken on that.
Time is doing him good.
I thought the same, he looks better now than back than......good looking man.
Yes ,he's aged like fine wine.
11/27/2020
He is very handsome 😍
FOR REAL!!!
He danced for 39 years
There would never be a show like soul train. Its was definitely one of a kind.
Exactly and I hope they never try to do a new Soul Train
@@1990758 They tried. It didn't work
@@maryexstroughtonaire4244 when
What is the 2020 equivalent of soul train? I really wish there was something like this today. If i was around during soul train times i would have definitely been on that show lol
Good times back then!!
So humble. He was grateful that he was even there. He came in at the right time when soul music was in its heyday.
Exactly my roommate dance on Soul Train and she took me with her just to sit in the audience it was a nice experience. It was cold as hell in there I went to the taping when Mariah Carey was on there for the first time
robert gordon.....And he left at the right time too -1988- cause all that good dance/ funk music started to fade away from the air waves and all that Rap shit started to take over! The New Jack Swing era did pretty well but that didn’t last for too long either!!
@@robertjaime6808 correct
@@robertjaime6808 Golden Era “Rap Sh!t” on Soul Train was the Sh!t, friend
The amount of swag in those skits were ridiculous in comparison to what we see today. Haven't seen anything like it since. Well done Soul Train.
This dude just emanates pure swag
No that belongs to me I'm the king off swag
His gear was always on point, he definitely stayed suited and booted 😎
Damn TomTom is still fine 😍... I always thought he reminded me of El DeBarge
Yep! He sure does look like a DeBarge
Omg right 😫🤣 he aged impeccably. Still foinneee as wine.
@@highpriestess3947 yes
Cyrious Definitely
He is Handsome.
The only thing missing from these interviews is getting them to do their signature move for us again.
Cause he had that one move
As a dancer, your hips get messed up. So doing some of the old moves becomes dangerous.
2:30 he technically did
'A privilege and an honor' - well spoken sir. I appreciate Mr Evans. He always kept a classy presentation.
I use to idolize this dude.....one of the smoothest cats on Soul Train. All of the dancers had their on separate identity that made each of them unique. Good times reminiscing
😄, this dude and "Big Louie" used to have me rollin' on the floor in laughter. They were the coolest dudes in that Soul Train studio, besides Don Cornelius...
LOVED them 2 Shawn.😊
They made the show. The made looking cool the thing vs. Knowing how to actually dance.
☝🏾Everything He said 😎
Shawn C T, I like Don C. But wouldn't exactly call him 'cool',LOL. Great host,though.
@@tonypastor705 Whaaat, man Don was cooler than a polar bear's behind, 😊...
He was one of my favorite dancers! He still looks so good too. Glad he had a good experience and enjoyed his time on the show.
What a great story. Soul Train is an Iconic institution, considering what it did for music, dance and fashion. Years ago I met some people visiting LA from the east coast They were knocked out when I told them that the kids on Soul Train were just regular kids. Not high paid dancers and actors. Soul Train hit the air waves long before VCR’s/DVR technology. So you had to pay attention and catch all the moves. Those were good times.
Yes he is looking very sharp!🥰 These videos just make me smile so much😊
He's one of my favorite dancers too! 😊
Moroccan wow 😳. Those cartoons tho 🥰🥰. Peaked Rosie Perez 2:56 🥰. These little soul train biographies give me the feels 🥰🥰🥰
My best friend Brenda Roman loves her childhood dream of Rosie Perez of Soul Train Dancers.
I thought that was her. Glad you confirmed it ✌🏾😁
I grew up watching and dancing to Soul Train 🚆 I love these videos showcasing the former dancers ❤
Yeah you saw that too?!?!?!
My reaction too
I was born in 87 and I remember the end of times like this. My parents were so full of life and legitimately happy young people compared to the young people with kids today.
Yeah,87 was a very different time in america-LOL.
Im born in December 1990 same feeling bro
I'm always happy when someone says they were happy and living a dream and it wasn't about money..
I'm so glad for this one. I always enjoyed watching Tom Tom and Lou Ski dance. I always thought they were related. He still looks good. I swear being a dancer is like a "fountain of youth" for these great entertainers. I'm glad to see he's enjoying life.
Yes,I just typed that too Daisy Mae, all the dancers still look really good!
Big Louie & Tom tom are best of friends on Soul Train.
Soul Train Dancers need reparations.
The way Don Cornelius was they weren't getting a penny it would have probably been too much drama lawsuits and what have you
thats a whole fact.
@@1990758 They should have at least gotten some type of stipend, to at least help pay towards their clothing. Without any type of pay, they couldn't even write off any expenses on their taxes... Even the audience on all the "court" shows get paid minimum wage...
@@xamyx2205 actually if it was a white operation the clothing companies would have furnished it for free advertising.
🤣🤣🤣
Tom Tom could STILL get it!!! 😜👌🏾
Back when you could just talk to anyone and the person not get freaked out.
I really enjoyed watching Ski & Tom Tom on Soul Train back in the day. To me, they were like Batman & Robin on that stage. 🎶 🕺 😀
It is safe to say that there will never be another show like Soul Train. Thanks to all the dancers and to the late Don Cornelius
Exactly and they're never should be
NEVER!!!
I always marvel at how lucky those Soul Train dancers were; especially the ones from the late 70's to the 80's. To be on one of the most popular shows of the 20th century as this gamechanging cultural shift called Hip Hop was happening & to be in the presence of so many LEGENDARY singers as their careers were either just starting or they were in their prime is just DOPE.
Soul Train is probably as close to a time machine as we gon get, man. Take me back to those Saturdays! 😭
Love these stories. Keep 'em comin'!
You summed it up perfectly. 🥰
Soul Train is a SERIOUS time machine!!!!!! 😁
Although hip hop was growing in the 1980s it didn't become a cultural force that started pushing other Black music aside until the 90s. Then fastforward to the 2010s and it's pushed most other genres in general aside besides "pop".
I grew up with hip hop but it depresses me seeing the lack of diverse music in the mainstream, and it also depresses me seeing every talentless fool hogging towards rap music. Basically, hip hop has become a victim of its own success.
I blame the period when MTV stopped playing music videos and the lack of musical variety shows for not exposing younger kids to enough bands, singers and genres. Hard rock and metal went from being so huge to now being an afterthought, and you can forget about soul and funk altogether.
So true
I always thought of him as either hispanic or a Brotha , hmm; he was Morraccan all this time.
Moroccans are brothas. Maybe not all but, you know. Tom is.
Morocco is in Africa
@@Informationstation-gw8wx we consider ourselves Arab
@@soulburst Arab refers to the language and culture. Blacks or Africoid people are Arabs as well.
@@Informationstation-gw8wx Yes, I know.
He was one of my favorites! It's great seeing them now. He still looks great, I wonder if they keep in touch after all these years. They all really seemed so cool with each other.
Growing up on Soul Train, we all thought he was Puerto Rican......
"I thought it was a DeBarge." "I had some bad credit behind Soul Train." This dude's jokes are on 100. LMAO
I was cracking up
😄😂
BAD CREDIT BEHIND SOUL TRAIN
Here’s the REAL lame game at Soul Train. I personally knew a major dancer on the show and we went shopping together at Century City Shopping Center and her credit cards got declined. She kept trying and finally one worked at another store. I was RELIEVED because every cashier knew her. Moreover, the idea was to keep exchanging💰outfits one for another, and so on and so forth...
The price for fame on the Train.
It paid off because you was one "CLEAN DUDE"!
@@merchantsmithimages the price of fame ???? unless they could see the future they didn't know that.....
Tom Tom and Ski used to kill it
I agree
Didn't they!!
That’s one High Caliber Gent, as all those interviewed here have been, displaying a grace and humility that we can all appreciate and admire
Oh, wow. This is such a flash from the past. This was a golden age. We will never see something like this again. Those dancers were national celebrities. I watched the show in Detroit from elementary school to high school. I miss those times.
He's so fine 😩.
Huh?
@@alanmorris7669 wdym huh? I said he's fine LMFAOOOOOOO
@@nehsangbong7259
I know, but you're a guy.
@@alanmorris7669 LMFAOOOOOOO. I'm not a guy. You just assumed that based on my profile picture because I'm a Futurama fan. And even if I was a guy there's nothing wrong in saying that. There are guys that like men too you know? 🤨
@@nehsangbong7259
Are you of the Ogoni people?
Tom said LOL “I was broke behind soul train 🚂” he had bad Credit Just to be Swagged out
Wow
Did they even get paid to be on soul train?
In kfc and soda LOL
I'll take that honesty any day. It was well worth it.
Could be cool to see a Reunion dance off
It wouldn't be the same coming from this generation
Definitely one of the most unforgettable dancers! ❤
From 1980 to 1988, those were the best years of my life! I graduated from high school in 1984 and I'll never forget those days. I used to do all of Louie Ski Carr's dances.
African brother! Glad to hear about it. Soul Train was much more diverse than at first look.
The Oracle: .... as long as you bring some “BEN GAY” ....
Gtfoh. Soul Train was MUCH more diverse than American Bandstand and some of that other bs.
@@xman9190 I remember it took me awhile to accept it because other shows didn't appear welcoming but over time things changed.
Arabs aren't African people.
@@jeffpierceiii4433 Morocco is in Africa. So how is it that Moroccans are in Africa and have had family in Africa for CENTURIES, YET you want to say they aren’t African people?! Do you realize how diverse Africa is? It is the most diverse continent in the world. Arabs have immigrated to parts of a North Africa for thousands of years, most Moroccan people are heavily mixed. If you did a DNA text on this man, I can guarantee you would find AFRICAN DNA. Btw, there are Black Arabs born in Africa.
After 1993, after Don stopped hosting Soul Train, I faded away. Especially since all the dancers of my childhood had all left. Great memories!!!
Me too it wasn't the same and I was watching more BET VH1 MTV 1 and 2 and dance off .
@@jenniferfields7113 Same here. It wasn't trendsetting anymore, to me...
Damn he was clean! That dancing is the fountain of youth.
He seems like a really nice guy. His fashion is amazing. The Soul Train dancers look amazing in the past and amazing now. Dancing must keep you young.
Love soul train those were the days no gangs no killing just good clean fun those were the days
Just have to say I'll never ever get tired of their Stories
Exactly that's one thing I like about today's technology you get to see and hear a lot of behind-the-scenes stuff that happened way back when.
@@1990758 yes indeed thanks much for upload
Tom Tom was one of my favorite dancers on Soul Train.
I betcha they tell other than black people "im not black like THEM"
I remember seeing him every Saturday - so cool to hear them talk in these interviews. What a great show it was!
I’m happy to say that I got to watch this brother on a weekly basis on TV. What a time to grow up!
Those were the times where people danced to have fun without having to be vulgar. Yeah they had some semi-sexy moves but it wasn’t “vulgar” Aww 😍 This was cool😎 😊❤️
💯💯💯👍👍👍
U r absolutely right!
Very well put!
Facts!
Yeah now it's all about looking sexy and honestly it ends up looking trashy and foolish (and not the good kind lol) this was just vibing
I always wondered what his ethnicity.. I always called him Italian Stallion
He does have that flare
All these dancers had the same fortunate stories. They waited for a long time and then before they closed the gate, there was always a security person who ended up bring them in at the last moment and their lives had never been the same after that. It was once of a life time, happy and memorable experience for them.
Dancing was so healthy because you moved all body parts while having fun and doing you. I loved Soul Train and dancing. Over the years, so many guys stop dancing and start holding up the wall and watching women. Well, here comes the beer bellys, health problems, and obesity.
Sounds like a fun time and dancing does a body good.
Very humble and well spoken. How refreshing. When men acted like men.
2:49 Dat look like a man WYM?
Really , I thought they were suspect ,but look who cares ,great show was glad that they are doing well and looking good
Mad respect to that generation. This generation has lost its way and is so unoriginal it’s sad nothing suspect about this man .. have u seen the pop starts from the hip hops scene lmao talk about suspect this gem is weird and not in a interesting way .. soul train was class what a time it was to have real music culture .
the 80s were mad flamboyant stfu
cope
These brothas carved there nitch into Soultrain thats what's memorable. They made themselves standout in Soul Train history!!!
Why tf is TomTom so damn fine?!? He looked great then but now, omg 😱😳😍😍😍
Hes an inspiration with his style absolutely love it
Anyone know the track at 0:47?
These cartoon graphics are hilarious.
He still looks good glad he doing good he was one of my favorite him and louie
Did she say he made a pretty mess on my dress? 🤷♂️
Yes..
Yup,shes singing about what you think she's singing about
I believe Prince wrote the song. This was 1984 when he brought us Darling Nikki, Sex Shooter, Sugar Walls, and I think Eroctic city. He was on a naughty roll!!!!!
Hahahahahaha......"Such a pretty mess......" A pervert wrote that song for Vanity!!!..Hahahahahaha...
Wait to you go back to the songs that literally say "he hit me, and it felt like a kiss"
Apparently dancing is the fountain of youth. I love how all of the dancers paid such attention to fashion
Wow! Such a Dapper❤ even after 30 years! 💋💛 Dancers do stop the time. He's ageless!
Bro you may not think that you didn't how to dance, but as a young man growing up looking at you dancing, we ( I ) Soul Train was the show to watch on Saturday afternoon/Evening to see the latest dance for I myself and friends to go out that night and do some of your dancing. Thank you.
Vanity 😍😍
Exactly, she ruled the 1980s. And later on in her life she gave it all up for God🙋🏾♀️ Her Beautiful Spirit is free from the World🌹
I loved Vanity, I wished it would have worked out for her to have starred in Purple Rain
I Love Vanity i do love Her.
I saw Vanity 6 and The Time, at Turtle's Records & Tapes, in 1982 in the "ATL".
Susan her group member was close, but up until this very day, I haven't seen a more beautiful woman in person than Vanity was that cloudy day...
Goddess
When I meet Moroccan brothers like him,the first thing they tell me is that they are African/from Africa.Morocco,Lybia,Egypt,those are African countries, first and foremost.
Not the Moroccans I've met they say they are Arab! Even the ones who look like black
@@Bluemooque Moroccan are not Arabs sorry I am Moroccan
morrocans are north africans , africa is not a country ;north african are a diferent race not black but they still african
african americans are a mix betwen europeans and subshaarians
@@Bluemooque they probably confuse arabophone with arabs
He was my favorite guy. I remember him in a suit and glasses just walking, not dancing, down the dance line. It was the coolest thing i'd ever saw!
Man when he mentioned Luther I got chill bumps...I was fortunate to see him Live...I can die a happy man lol!
He still has swag, very handsome!
Maaaaaan...those were the days!!!! OMG
I remember him. He stayed sharp. Mr. Style and Profile
His humility,
Style and even humor made him my favorite male dancer on the show! I see you Tom Tom!!!!
Good spirit. Thats why he hasnt aged.
He is looking damn good!
He needs to get his nose fixed
I remember him very well. Great dancer and was always creative and original.
he's so fine...well dressed and dripping with swag
All the dancers need to do a reunions. But Tom Tom and Ski stood out for me on Soul Train.
I LLLLOOOOVE SOUL TRAIN. I never get tired of watching it. I also love watching black people getting that groove on. I’m a white guy who can dance and feel that rhythm, but.....nothing like these people. It’s in their system! and I wish I could love like they do. Still, I love dancing.
Damn he look better with age!!!
Thirsty.
@@jonothandoeser tom Evans is not fat because he stayed away from those thirsty-two ouncers from circle K
@@jogmas12 Does he still have his teeth?
@@jonothandoeser I don’t know about that but judging from the comments on this video a lot of sistas seem to like him.
Thomas had that HUMPIN DANCE down.😉
He got away with A LOT during the 80s. There was this intermission where they danced to Roger & Zapp. He snuck up on this female dancer from behind and went OFF. They didn’t call him Rude Boy Tom Tom for nothin. 🤔😏🤭
😂👍💯
Down to the Tea 🤣😀😂😁
Love Soul Train, but it’s sad they didn’t $share$ in its success.
Do you get paid if you audition for American Idol
nothing to stop some of the top dancers from putting together a traveling rerun and get together events across the country
@@1990758 According to Fox Business, contestants receive "$1,571 plus meals for two-hour Idol shows, $1,303 for one-hour shows and $910 for half-hour results shows." But before a contestant is eligible to receive that pay, they must enroll in the AFTRA union, which is a $1,600 payment upfront.Mar 16, 2020
@@fsxspen thank you for that information you have a blessed day
Honestly... I would have been 20x cooler growing up if I had watched and learned from this show. I don't feel nearly as bad about myself now. People who knew about this show and watched it where lucky enough to absorb everything. The dancing, the music, the fashion, the passion, and the power of feelin yourself and the charisma it can create. The presence, so to speak. Seems like I magical time that I would have enjoyed being a part of. All the same, I enjoy things right now. What a cool video
damn. i love that these clips really show him "loosen up" as a dancer over his appearances on the show. you can tell he has rhythm, but he wasn't aware of his "space" in the beginning. dance moves kept arms close to waist and torso, even though his elbows and knee/leg work is slick.
then he reaaaally started getting into the groove. the thoughts probably left the mind and he just took off with his unique characteristics in those moments. and honestly, improved the vibe of his moves. i actually really love the TomTom, and had no idea he can be keystoned as having coined that type of shuffle.
TomTom you're cool cool cool.
As a little kid growing up in NY, I lived for those mini Soul Train line skits....And not gonna lie, I thought he & Lou Ski were brothers....
It’s good to hear about their experiences!! I’m glad to hear that no one had a bad time. They all got along and have great memories. I think we all get a kick out of it!! We’re able to live vicariously through their experiences. I wanted to be a Soul Train Dancer but then again who didn’t .🤷🏾♀️ Who wouldn’t jump at the chance too. 😉 He’s still handsome. You go boy!!
I've always liked seeing TomTom doing the Soul Train Scramble Board back in 1983
It seems like everytime I watched the scramble board the answer was always a Jackson or Jody Watley 🤣
This has to be one of the swaggiest dudes ever
No that belongs to me
@@mangococo8429 I don’t think Gacha Life characters have a dance animation, you may want to try again
No pay?
A damn shame they didn't even give them a wardrobe expense. Don Cornelius was wrong for that
LOVED his long LEATHER Coats.
Mr. Thomas Evans mentioned the other Soul Train Dancer Mr. Marco. Please interview him soon he was also another favorite Dancer to watched on Soul Train. He had the best Dapper & Elegant Wardrobe Attire on Soul Train.
I think they already interviewed him
@@1990758 ,whaaaaat! I hope not and when? Because I've been checking back & forth on the Soul Train paged to see his interview. And I haven't seen anything on him.
Heeeeyyy Tom Tom, where you been?? You were one of my favorites.. I don't know you, however you were a major part of my youth. God Bless!!
2:09 Anybody know this song? It’s wonderful
SOUL SPECTACULAR!!! 💕 WHAT AN INSPIRING STORY!!!💕 YOU ARE A PART OF SOUL HISTORY MAN!!! 💕WE WOULD WATCH EVERY WEEKEND, WAITING FOR WHATS NEXT!!!💕 YOU GUYS DEFINITELY DID YOUR THING!!!💕💕💕👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾THANK YOU SHARING YOUR STORY!!! YOUR BACKGROUND!!! YOUR HISTORY ON SOUL TRAIN!!!💕💕💕 ALWAYS REMEMBERED AND NEVER FORGOTTEN!!!😎💕🙏🏾BLESSINGS
I would watch what Tom was wearing. After the show as over I head downtown to find his outfit.
This was the one I was waiting for.
Me too 👍🏽
Ikr? I said where is Louie's partner. I loved seeing them dance.
Tom Tom and Big Louie were Great! Great too see him and Big Louie doing well ,God bless them both!!
I love these!! I was the only person in my family watching Soul Train religiously, lol, I LOVE it! ❤❤❤
"I thought it was a Debarge ", love it😀🥰💞
I love these interviews. *sigh* I miss culture we can be proud of.
Most of these soul train dancers aged so well