Fayard Nicholas (October 20, 1914 - January 24, 2006)
Fayard Nicholas, 91, died in his home with his wife, Katherine, close friends and family at his side on January 24, 2006 following a stroke in November. The elder brother of the most famous tap duo in the world fought valiantly to recover. The Nicholas Brothers received many honors that included the Kennedy Center Honors in 1991. Fayard received an honorary Doctorate of Dance degree from Oklahoma City University with eight other dancers in 2002. Prior to his death, Fayard recalled that event, "It was a great honor and it sounds so good to call me Doctor Nicholas. Everybody was so nice. I will cherish it the rest of my life. It was a wonderful, wonderful, evening and I think everyone thinks the same. I wish my brother could have been there. It was a great honor."
During his illness, Rusty Frank did a brilliant job of keeping the tap world informed on the family's special needs. Fayard's wife, Katherine Hopkins Nicholas, was Frank's first dance teacher and Fayard was her long-time friend. "When I was 11 and taking tap classes from Katherine, she was the most stunningly beautiful woman I had ever seen, and she was loving, nice, and encouraging to all us awkward little ducklings," said Frank. "I'll never forget her for that." The tap family of the world thanks Rusty Frank for all she has done for Fayard and Katherine.
Some remembrances
from the tap dance world:
Katherine
Hopkins Nicholas
"My life has been a blessing since we've been together. He's the best thing that ever happened to me. I will love him forever and forever."
Rusty Frank:
Dancer, Writer and Angel
for Fayard and Katherine
"Ahhhhh, we have lost another one. We know they will stay in our hearts forever... but it's just different when we can't pick up the phone and hear their voices."
Jeni LeGon:
Star Performer,
Artist, Teacher
"I met The Nicholas Brothers at the Cotton Club when they were babies. They were there with Cab Callaway and Ethel Waters. Fayard was one of the most wonderful people I have ever known in my life. I loved him madly, but we were never lovers. The Nicholas Brothers were giants, as far as creation was concerned. Both were so talented. I spent lots of time with them in London when they were in 'Blackbirds of 1936.' They lived out of the city and my house was in the city. Every Wednesday we had dinner together so they did not have to travel back home. Both of us often brought cast members from our shows. I remember celebrating Harold's 10th birthday there. I spoke with Fayard on the day he passed."
Henry LeTang:
Choreographer,
Director, Teacher
"Outside of his talent, which was great, Fayard never changed. He was still a nice person who realized the value of friendship. The act was terrific. Harold was amazing and the first to run up the wall and do that flip. Fayard had such a style and the first outside of Fred Astaire to really use his arms and hands. The rest seemed to just let their arms just hang down. Even in talking he used lots of gestures. He was a beautiful person. It is hard to lose so many."
Jimmy Slyde:
Premiere Tap Artist,
"Fayard was a rare kind of person. I never heard him say anything negative. With all the things that happened in Hollywood, they were enjoying themselves so much that it didn't affect Fayard that much. Those brothers really loved each other. He was always happy and lived the joyful side of life. He was possessed with being the star of the world that will always shine. He was inspiring to me and the epitome of tap dancing. They showed the world how enjoyable tap dancing could be. Fayard was never down, always on the up. God bless him."
Robert Reed:
Producer of St. Louis Tap Festival and Rhythm Tap
Artist-in-residence at OCU
"Fayard was very open and sharing with his talent and some of his dance secrets through the years. In 1983 I worked with the Third Generation Taps. The Nicholas Brothers and Jack Ackerman were on the same bill with Liberace in Vegas. I remember all of us dancing backstage and he taught us the 'over the top' secret. They did a pull back on the standing foot before the jump in the air. We worked on it backstage. I wanted Maceo (Step Brothers) to share my excitement and Maceo said, 'I used to send them to the store.' Fayard replied, 'Yes, he did.' Fayard attended the St. Louis Festival for five years. He always made himself accessible to the tap dancers there and brought lots of joy to many people.
Prince Spencer of the Step Brothers
"The Nicholas Brothers were the nicest guys you would ever want to meet. They brought class to the act. They were nice on stage and off. Fayard's hands were so expressive and phenomenal. He will be missed more than any act I have ever seen."
Arthur Duncan:
Lawrence Welk Show
Artist and Entertainer
"Fayard and his brother established a great form of dancing that will never be equaled....clean, precise. They established tap and made a great contribution to turning tap into a great art form worldwide."
Mable Lee:
International Entertainer
and Star
"Fayard was the oldest and he inspired and taught Harold. Fayard was a happy person and a hell of a dancer. I enjoyed being around him and he was very giving. He finished every step and phrase that he did. He had natural rhythm. Not just his hands, but his feet were marvelous too. It was more than hands. The Nicholas Brothers were phenomenal. They gave the whole universe the beauty of seeing them dance and show their talent."
Ardie Bryant:
Entertainer, Tap Artist, Professor at California State University
"Fayard Nicholas was an inspiration to me. Not only were he and his brother two of the greatest dancers who ever lived, they executed everything with elegance and dignity and were role models for all of us. I will never forget him, and as long as I am alive I will not let others forget him. I treasure my friendship with him and his devoted wife Katherine." Bryant said she will dedicate his spring history course at California State to the memory of Dr. Fayard Nicholas.
Dianne Walker:
Educator, Performer, Choreographer
"Fayard lived life with so much 'joy.' I had an opportunity to work with him under very demanding circumstances and he never lost his 'joy,' no matter what the pressure was. That wonderful spirit continued to the very end, as he was cared for and surrounded by his family, especially his wife Katherine. I remember how he used to look 'up' at her and send smooches, and she looked 'down' at him and send them back and I'd say, 'Oh, would you two cut it out!!!!' That would make us all laugh. What a pleasant memory. The last years of his life were so happy for him. In his final years, he and Katherine shared much love and happiness. He was blessed with a long life and a wonderful family ... so, when I think of him, I just smile and it feels great to have known him while he was here."
Arlene Kennedy:
Universal Dance Design
Studio, Tap Artist and
Teacher, Choreographer
"When my brother Paul and I were little people, my mother, Mildred Kennedy Bradic, would tell us to watch the Nicholas Brothers because they had it all. Today the new age of dancers call that 'old school!' But anybody that goes through school realizes they must first start in pre-school then work their way up and, in the scheme of things, Fayard and Harold Nicholas were graduate school, card carrying, Ph.D.'s, when it came to tap. I cannot even begin to say how much Dr. Fayard Nicolas will be missed, but I can say with all the tap dancers we have lost they must be having one hell of a tap jam in heaven!"
Harold Cromer:
Stump and Stumpy,
Broadway and Nightclub Entertainer, Tap Artist
"We were kids together. When I worked at the Kit Kat Club, we would often leave together and take a bus to the Cotton Club. Some of the group were: Flash and Dash (James Banner and Bobby Johnson); Ruby Hill, a singer in the Kit Kat Club; and Pops and Louie. Jimmy Banner's mother was the wardrobe mistress at the Cotton Club, so we could go down and hang out and see the acts like Lena Horne and the Cab Callaway band. The Nicholas brothers were the most important dance act of the day. They moved to 'Babes in Arms' on Broadway from the Cotton Club. From Broadway they went to Hollywood. They set a style of dancing that is still being done today. We are fortunate for the films to have their work preserved in 'Stormy Weather' and in many other movies."
Skip Cunningham:
Tap Dancer, Entertainer, Choreographer
"I have had the pleasure and distinction to be with and work with Fayard and Harold on their last performing gigs. They were the main attraction at the Minneapolis Tap Festival (1999), and I worked with Fayard on the Muscular Dystrophy Telethon (2003). I feel very proud of those occasions. When I was president of the Hoofers Club in Los Angeles (1982-83), we would meet at John Bubbles' home. Some of the club members were Al Williams (Step Brothers), Gene Bell (Bob Hope's tap dancer) Paul/Arlene Kennedy, Chester Whitmore, Gregory Hines, Arthur Duncan, and others of note. He told me that he liked the way I carried myself and was proud of me. It can't get any better than that from one of the greatest dancers who ever lived."
Sarah Petronio:
Jazz Tap Artist, Paris France
A Poem Sarah sent to Fayard
in the hospital.
Fayard sweetly smiling
and splitting with joy,
Fayard really swinging
even as a little boy.
Fayard and Harold with those
big big bands,
Fayard and lovely Katherine
holding hands.
Fayard, Mr. Elegance with
the feet so neat,
Fayard "superbe danseur"
right on the beat.
Fayard, dear Fayard get
better real soon,
We need your hands to gracefully
reach for the moon ...
Jo Rowan:
Chairman of Dance Department at Oklahoma City University
"Fayard charmed everyone without being aware of it. His love of life and dance and the pleasure he took in other peoples experiences pulled them into his warmth. The great stories that he told about his family and his career made people want to be near him. He taught himself to dance by watching other performers and also taught his brother, Harold, to dance by demonstrating with his feet and hands. His parents encouraged him to continue to emphasize the use of his hands while performing, and that is how he came to develop his unique 'style.' He wowed the audience with his amazing technique and he spoke to them with his expressive hands. I love Fayard and everyone in his family. Thank goodness we will all be able to re-experience his 'charm' by watching the Nicholas Brothers on film and video. I'm grateful I had the opportunity to experience his loving heart, quick mind, and amazing energy. What a great dancer and what a great person!"
John Bedford:
Dean of Oklahoma City University Dance Department
"Fayard's love of his brother Harold impressed me greatly. I remember Fayard's warm and infectious laugh so frequently followed by 'I wish Harold was here to see this.' Fayard loved people and loved life, and sharing experiences with Harold amplified the love and joy he felt. That is why we are dedicating our American Spirit Dance Company show in March to both Fayard and Harold. Fayard would like that!"
Melba Huber
"I was in a coffee shop in St. Louis having a late breakfast with Henry LeTang and Prince Spencer. Fayard joined us. When I told him I was sorry I wasn't able to go to the California memorial for Harold and I heard that he performed a special song, he said, 'Melba, I will sing it for you right now.' He began singing the number right there in the coffee shop and Jimmy Slyde walked in. We stopped him and said, 'You have to start over, Jimmy is here.' He did and we all enjoyed the moment. I loved his generosity, humor and spirit. More that that, here I was having breakfast with Fayard, Henry, Prince and Jimmy. That is really a Melba memory. I treasure all those special moments at the St. Louis Tap Festival where I had the opportunity to know the tap legends."
Fayard and Harold Nicholas will never be forgotten.