"King Rastus" was probably not his real name, as many Minstrel and Vaudeville performers often times used a racially stereotypical stage name such as Sambo, Rastus, Jazzbo, Hickory, Moke, Coon etc. to appeal to white audiences. Many brand labels of the day would also portray "darky ads" using Rastus in the name such as the Cream of Wheat and Rastus Cigars ads. (see photo left.) So in a sense it might have been reference to "King of the darkies," either given or self named.

   Not much is really known about "King Rastus Brown" except that he was a legend among Buck and Wing as well as Tap dancers and one of the best at that, but was rarely known outside of this circle of dancers. Rastus

performed in the Minstrel circuits with the Black Patti's Troubadours in 1895 and later Vaudeville and Harlem stages and nightclubs. Rastus helped many great Tap dancers gain an understanding of this art form like Eddie Rector, Bill Bailey etc. Rastus would frequent the Hoofers Club and show many generations of younger aspiring dancers how to do simple and complex steps as well as professionally teaching future stars like Bob Hope. Why nobody ever interviewed Hope on Rastus is beyond me (maybe they did, but I haven't found it.)

    Legend has it that Rastus was a brown skin negro about 5' 9" tall and slim. He was born in Louisville or Boston and came to New York as a grown man around 1903 and would later live in Philadelphia or Baltimore. He always wore his many medals on his coat, wore a derby hat, spats and smoked long cigars and drank white lightnin', Corn Whiskey or Gin. During his Buck dances he would dance flat footed, close to the floor and from the hips. Willie Glenn says "Rastus was always willing to perform at the drop of the hat" but goes on to say "Trouble was ... you couldn't get him to quit." Rastus only problem was he was a real dancer, a dancers dancer if you will and not a comedic or acrobatic dance performer, which at the time was all that was being promoted. Rastus was not very fond of the new "Acrobatic" style of Tap dancing that was emerging and thought it "a waste of time."

   He was considered a master of Improvisation and Imitation. Audiences would call out things for him to imitate and would try to stump him but never did. He could imitate a Train, a Drunk, a Horse, different nationalities and even himself with great appreciation by the onlookers or audience. However, he never copied anyone's style and was very unique in what he did. His stamina was un wavering as he could dance for over two hours; one hour standing up and the other sitting down which was no small feet within itself and is said to have never missed or repeated a step. Some dancers have mentioned that he could do everything, do it forever and did it well, a real "HOOFER!!!."

   Competed in many dance contests in the U.S.A. and London. In 1910 he won a Buck dancing contest in old Madison Square Garden. Rastus even accused Bill "Bojangles" Robinson of stealing his stair dance routine. Rastus was not very fond of Robinson and challenged him many times in 'Cutting Contests,' but Robinson always refused or was busy. He is said to have passed away in the 1940's in New Haven, CT.

Note: Any Racial slurs are not the way this webmaster thinks, only used when repeating a reference to the times.

Wiki on the name Rastus.