The seven-member group of Treadwell High School (Memphis, Tennessee), alumni included Bruce Bowles (vocals), Bobby Fisher (saxophone, keyboards), Jimmy Hart (vocals), Jimmy Johnson (trumpet, keyboards), Pat Neal (bass guitar), Larry Raspberry (guitar, lead vocalist), and drummer Larry Wall.[1] The youths formed the Gentrys in May 1963.[1]
The Gentrys' million-selling "Keep on Dancing" reached #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1965,[1] and they appeared on "Hullabaloo," Shindig!, and "Where the Action Is" and toured with The Beach Boys and Sonny and Cher, as well as playing on Dick Clark bills. However, two follow-up singles failed to break into the Top 40, and the group disbanded in 1966. Other notable band members during the 1963–1966 years were Claude Wayne Whitehead (rhythm guitar), Larry Butler (keyboards), Ronnie Moore (bass), and very briefly, studio heavyweight engineer/producer and member of the cult band Big Star Terry Manning (keyboards).
"Keep on Dancing" is actually a cover of an otherwise little-known 1963 R&B song by The Avantis. The Gentrys' version is notable for the fact that it is actually one short recording repeated, to stretch the record out to the length of the typical pop single of its day. The second half of the song -- after the false fade, beginning with Wall's famous drum fill -- is the same as the first.[citation needed] Though the group had Jimmy Hart and Bruce Bowles as singers, their biggest hit was sung by guitarist Larry Raspberry.[citation needed]
Original member Hart reformed The Gentrys in 1969, with himself as lead singer, but three attempts at singles again fell short of the Top 40.[citation needed] They recorded at this time for the Bell Records label.[1] The 1969–1974 Gentrys included Hart, Steve Speer (bass), Dave Beaver (keyboards), Jimmy Tarbutton (guitar), Wes Stafford (lead guitar), and Mike Gardner (drums).
Hart subsequently found much greater fame and success in professional wrestling as a manager and composer, nicknamed "The Mouth of the South." During this time, he returned to music at least once, as a member of The Wrestling Boot Band, a group fronted by Hulk Hogan. The story of the Gentrys is described in the book The Mouth of the South by Jimmy Hart, Hulk Hogan, Bret Hart, Jerry Lawler.
Raspberry formed a band in the 1970s, Larry Raspberry and the Highsteppers.
Keep On Dancing
The Gentrys Lyrics
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Keep on doin' the jerk right now
Shake it, shake it, baby
Come on and show me how you work
Yellin' in motion
Keep on doin' the locomotion, yeah
Don't worry, little babe
[Chorus:]
Keep on dancin' and a-prancin' (ah)
Keep on dancin' and a-prancin' (ah)
Keep on dancin' and a-prancin' (ah)
I keep on dancin' (keep on)
Keep on doin' the jerk
Shake it, shake it, baby
Come on and show me how you work
Yellin' in motion
Keep on doin' the locomotion, yeah
Don't worry, little babe
Shake it, shake it, shake it, shake it, yes!
[Chorus]
I keep on dancin' (keep on)
Keep on doin' the jerk right now
Shake it, shake it, baby
Come on and show me how you work
[Chorus to Fade]
The Gentrys' song "Keep On Dancing" is a classic rock and roll song that is all about dancing and having a blast doing it. The song is upbeat and lively, with a fast tempo that immediately gets the listener moving. The lyrics are simple but effective, telling the listener to keep dancing and doing the jerk and locomotion, two popular 1960s dance styles.
The verse repeats the same lines over and over, encouraging the listener to shake it, shake it, and show how they work. The chorus is the same, repeating the phrase "keep on dancin' and a-prancin'" three times before ending the song. The lyrics are repetitive, but this only adds to the overall feel of the song, which is meant to be played loud and danced to until you're exhausted.
Overall, "Keep On Dancing" is a catchy and fun song that captures the spirit of rock and roll music in the 1960s. It celebrates the joy of dancing and the carefree attitude that music can create.
Interesting facts about "Keep On Dancing":
Interesting Facts
Note: This section uses generative AI, which can be inaccurate.
Line by Line Meaning
I keep on dancin' (keep on)
I will continue to dance without stopping
Keep on doin' the jerk right now
I will continue dancing to this specific dance style called 'jerk'
Shake it, shake it, baby
Move your body, my dear
Come on and show me how you work
Please demonstrate your dancing skills to me
Yellin' in motion
Shouting while dancing
Keep on doin' the locomotion, yeah
Don't stop your movement, keep going
Don't worry, little babe
No need to stress, my dear
Shake it, shake it, shake it, shake it, yes!
Move your body vigorously and happily
[Chorus:] Keep on dancin' and a-prancin' (ah)
Let's dance and jump around while moving to the beat
[Chorus]
Repeating the same message to continue dancing with joy and energy
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: WILLIE DAVID YOUNG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
John Lang
I've always loved this song. It doesn't have to be Mozart (or even Dick Dale) to be a great song.
This is now my favorite Youtube video ever. I've been looping all day.
Countdown my top 5:
5) Agent 99
4) Hot blonde girl in cage
3) Morticia Adams
2) Ginger
1) Serena, Samantha's hot mess of a cousin
Honorable mention: Kathy Duke and the hot girl dancing with Jeannie and Major Nelson
Larry Raspberry
Many Many Thanks
I was/am the founder, leader, guitarist and one of three vocalists in The Gentrys. I sang this song "Keep On Dancin' "when I was 17. It was a number 4 hit record in September 1965. I am still performing and singing it today. I and all The Gentrys are honored and appreciate so much, your making our hit the soundtrack for this monumental, fun video. MOST OF ALL EVERYONE FROM HOLLYWOOD TO HOME LAND KEEP ON DANCIN' !!!
RetroTVCentral
It was an honor and a privilege to make a video of this great classic from 1965. I'm so thrilled that you and your band enjoyed the video. The Gentrys still rock!!!
tgbluesman
Larry, I saw you with the Raspberrys at the VCU GYM in 1975 in Richmond,Va. You guys blew the roof off....one of the best shows I ever saw!!!!!!!
Brown Prider
This is such a great record I had to look it up after Jimmy Hart talk about it on that WWE Network.
Frank Schottel
I read a long time ago that this song was cowritten with Mouth of the South Jimmy Hart. Any truth to that?
Robert Ewing
I loved it! Great job!
gwidwock
Whoever put this together, it's OUTSTANDING! I watched all those shows when I was a kid.
Aunt Shirl
I know. I nearly cried when I saw Gilligan's island 🤣
Sue Berensen
Me too.
Gregory Kiernan
Herman Munster get me everytime.
😂