Willie & Hand Jive or Cha Cha - Which came first

[donna plasky]

Hi, everybody. I don't know if anyone has previously asked this question, but do you know anything about Cliff and The Shads singing "Willie Did the Cha Cha?" I was looking around on YouTube and I found this clip. It's choreographed the same way they usually sang "Willie and the Hand Jive" with Cliff weaving in-and-out between Bruce and Hank. I never heard this tune before.



Thanks!

Donna

[Didier]

"Willie and the Hand Jive" was first a hit in 1958 by Johnny Otis in the USA. The same year he made "Willie did the Cha Cha".
Cliff Richard first recorded his cover of "Willie and the Hand Jive" in november 1959. He performed "Willie did the Cha Cha" on TV show in 1965, but never recorded it.

Didier

[Didier]

In fact there was an earlier version from a TV show in march 1960 (second part of the video) :



Didier

[donna plasky]

Didier, thank you so very much for your reply and for posting the video. I really like this song...and I loved the dancing! Thanks again.

Best wishes,
Donna