Is Ceroc a dance or an organisation?

[Jon Brett]

Ceroc wasn't first. James Cronin was a member of a dance group inspired by French Rock n Rollers, the French term for rock n Roll being "Le Roc".

Le Roc is a modified version of 50's RnR which French people were spotted doing in a night club (in France). apparently they wanted to jive 50's style but the music was too slow, so they changed it to suit.

On returning to the UK, the original Le Roc (& subsequently Ceroc) moves were nicked from ballroom latin & salsa.

The term "Le Roc" is not copyrightable as it is a general term meaning Rock n Roll, so when Mr Cronin started his dance classes, he changed the name to Ceroc (apparently short for C'est Roc).

I understand that Ceroc being a money maker was not in the spirit of the original dance troup who reckoned it should be more fun than anything, so that's what started the Leroc/Ceroc "war".

Ceroc is NOT the dance, it is the company. Strictly speaking, the dance is "French Rock n Roll", or "Le Roc". "modern Jive" was a phrase made up by Robert Austin (ex LeJive) long after Leroc & Ceroc were being franchised, and has since been adopted by most organisations.

And finally, yes, we are all jivers.

Cheers,

Jon Brett

[Lounge Lizard]

and a big welcome to jb

[Franck]

Originally posted by Jon Brett
the French term for rock n Roll being "Le Roc".

/snip/

Ceroc is NOT the dance, it is the company. Strictly speaking, the dance is "French Rock n Roll", or "Le Roc".

Not arguing with your history lesson, as I wasn't there, and heard so many different versions from different people that I guess I'll never know for sure, but just wanted to make a quick correction.

The French Rock 'n Roll is not called le roc, it is called (le) rock!

Calling Ceroc or Modern Jive 'French Rock 'n Roll' would be misleading as the dance still taught across many venues in France is very different from all forms of Jive in the UK. There is a big emphasis on footwork and arm movements that simply doesn't exist here.

The only parallel I can make with the French version is what is danced by a majority of French people at clubs or dances, after taking only a few lessons (usually at after school clubs) and improvising happily

I agree that regardless of historical versions, Ceroc have 'nicked' moves and ideas from Salsa, Ballroom, Lindy hop, ballet, hip hop, swing and pretty much every other dance around, but the result is a very different dance to what it started as, and I would argue (though DavidB might disagree ) a proper dance (which I would rather call Ceroc than Modern Jive).

[Will]

Originally posted by Jon Brett
"modern Jive" was a phrase made up by Robert Austin (ex LeJive)

This is interesting. I knew that the term "Modern Jive" was coined long after Ceroc / Leroc was invented for political reasons, but I didn't know who by. Did Nicky Haslam have to give any cash or credit to Robert Austin when she used it in her company name?

You certainly seem to know alot about it Jon, (though other versions I've heard give a little more credit to Ceroc being different / unique from any previous form of Jive - call it le roc, french jive, etc.. that had been around at that time). When Kate told me you'd been around a long time, I thought she was just being rude!

And finally, yes, we are all jivers.

Speak for yourself! I'm a happily married man

Will

[Andy McGregor]

Originally posted by Jon Brett
Ceroc is NOT the dance, it is the company. Strictly speaking, the dance is "French Rock n Roll", or "Le Roc". "modern Jive" was a phrase made up by Robert Austin (ex LeJive) long after Leroc & Ceroc were being franchised, and has since been adopted by most organisations.

Welcome to the Forum JB, it's surprising what you see (through the smoke ) from behind those decks

Robert Austin also told me he 'invented' the name 'modern jive'. I suppose someone had to.

Originally posted by Jon Brett
And finally, yes, we are all jivers.

Cheers,

Jon Brett

Correct, I've even seen JB dancing - he's really good too!

[Dreadful Scathe]

Originally posted by Will

Speak for yourself! I'm a happily married man

He said jiver not swinger

[bobgadjet]

Originally posted by Jon Brett

And finally, yes, we are all jivers.

Cheers,

Jon Brett

So I'm FINALLY a Jiver, at least I know ! ! !
Some might argue tho !

[Lory]

Originally posted by Will


Speak for yourself! I'm a happily married man

Will

Originally posted by Dreadful Scathe
He said jiver not swinger

Who say's you can't be all 3?

[LilyB]

Originally posted by Will
. . . I'm a happily married man

Will

How come we weren't invited to the wedding???!!!:reallymad

LilyB