Sexiest of the New Dances Is a Smash In Northern California, Sparked by the Bobby Freeman Recording of “C’mon And Swim”
Not since the twist swept all before it two years ago has any dance created so much excitement in the picturesque city of San Francisco. It has caught on in just a few months and one of the reasons, besides the excitement inherent in the dance itself, is the Bobby Freeman recording. Freeman’s new single, on the Autumn recording label, is in the Top 20 in sales in that city.
The recording of “C’mon and Swim” was made by Tom Donahue and Bob Mitchell of the Tempo Weekly Newsletter, a publication that tips the trade on current and new best-sellers in that city. The duo, top rated jockeys of KYA in San Francisco, says of the swim, “We think it has the potential to become the biggest dance sensation since the twist.”
An explanation of the popularity of the swim is apparent by a description of it in a story in Variety July 15. Story says it is a variation of the twist, which pantomimes various swimming strokes, like the breast stroke, dog paddle, back- stroke, etc. “Done well it is the most graceful of these dances. It is also far and away the sexiest.”
Another reason for the success of the swim in San Francisco could also be attributed to the fact that it is done in clubs along Broadway, the late-night districts in North Beach, and in several of these clubs by girls in topless bathing suits. Crowds usually gather before the open windows of these clubs and try to peer in to see the dancers.
About 25 clubs in San Francisco‘s North Beach nightclub belt are now featuring the swim. It’s the biggest attraction the clubs have had in two years and San Francisco clubs play all types of acts, from nudes to hypnotists. Best known are The Galaxie and The Condor.
Bobby Freeman is credited with having originated the swim about a year ago. He taught it on his appearances at dances and shows in the Bay Area. Suddenly it caught on and turned into a high school sensation. One high school principal banned the swim from school dances and it became famous.
The Bobby Freeman record, issued in May, broke wide open in the Bay area after a weekend of play by disc jockey John Hardy of KDIA. Subsequently it caught on in Seattle, San Diego, Fresno, San Jose, Sacramento, Stockton and other California cities.
“C’mon and Swim” has built into a national hit. The dance has yet to break out of the West Coast. However, with the Dick Clark show featuring the dance and with Freeman demonstrating it on the Dick Clark tour, it could happen nationally too. END
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Information, credit and news source: Music Business; August 15, 1964
