Adolfo “Shabba-Doo” Quiñones Dies: Dance Pioneer & ‘Breakin” Star Was 65
He was not on the list.
Adolfo “Shabba-Doo” Quiñones, one of the forefathers of hip hop dancing and known best for his roles in the 80s breakdancing films Breakin’ and Breakin’ 2 Electric Boogaloo, has died. He was 65.
Quiñones’ death comes one day after he posted an Instagram photo of himself saying he was feeling “sluggish” from a cold, but had tested negative for COVID-19.
Shabba-Doo was one of the members of The Original Lockers, innovators of the dance style commonly known as locking. One of his fellow dance crew members, Toni Basil, announced Quinones death on Wednesday. No cause of death was given.
“It is with extreme sadness the Lockers family announces the unexpected passing of our beloved Adolfo Shabba-Doo Quinones. In this difficult time, we are requesting privacy,” Basil wrote in a statement on Twitter.
Born and raised in Chicago, Quiñones moved to Los Angeles in the early ’70s. He was an Original Soul Train Gang member, and went on to star as Ozone in the classic dance films Breakin and Breakin’ 2 Electric Boogaloo, as well as the 1990 film Lambada. Quiñones also appeared in Rave – Dancing to a Different Beat, which he also directed.
Also an award-winning musical theater choreographer, he had choreographed for Lionel Richie, Madonna, Luther Vandross, and Jamie Kennedy’s MTV show, Blowin’ Up, among others. He also served as the associate choreographer and lead dancer for the 78th Academy Awards, performing with first time Oscar winners, Three Six Mafia and Taraji P. Henson for their performance of “It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp.”
Quiñones also choreographed for Michael Jackson.
“We are heartbroken by the passing of Adolfo “Shabba-Doo”
Quiñones and send our condolences to his family,” The Estate of Michael Jackson
said in a statement. “Shabba-Doo was a genius and innovator who put body and
soul into his dance and choreography. Michael worked with him over the course
of many years including on the BAD short film and loved and admired him
greatly.”
Quiñones guest-starred on numerous TV shows, including The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!, Married… with Children, Miami Vice, What’s Happening!!, Saturday Night Live and Lawrence Leung’s Choose Your Own Adventure.
Madonna is among those sharing a remembrance of Shabba-Doo on social media.
Filmography
Film
Year Title Role Notes
1978 Disco Fever Dancer at Jet
1980 Xanadu Xanadu Dancer Uncredited
1984 Breakin' Ozone / Orlando
1984 Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo Ozone
1989 Tango & Cash Dancer
1990 Lambada Ramone
1993 Rave, Dancing to a Different Beat
1995 Steel Frontier Deacon
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1976 What's Happening!! Rocket dancer Episode: "My Three Tons"
1980 The Big Show Himself 1 episode
1985 Miami Vice Pepe Episode: "The Maze"
1985 Kids Incorporated The genie Episode: "A Lad and His Lamp"
1989 The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! Himself Episode: "Dance"
1990 Married... with Children Cecil Episode: "Rock and Roll Girl"
1991 The Sitter Nick TV movie
No comments:
Post a Comment