Thanks To American Bandstand, The Stroll Swept The Nation In The Late 50s!

by: Nina Ross
April 6, 2023

source: YouTube/MrMemories

The Stroll was a dance craze that swept the nation in the late 1950s, thanks in large part to its popularity on the television show American Bandstand. The dance was simple and easy to learn, making it accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds, and it became a staple at dance parties and social events throughout the country.

The Stroll was typically performed in a line, with couples standing side-by-side facing the same direction. The dance began with the couple at the front of the line turning to face each other and dancing together for a few beats of the music. They would then separate and move down the line, with each new couple repeating the same steps. As the line progressed, it would split in half, with one group facing forward and the other facing backward, before coming back together and repeating the dance.

The Stroll was featured prominently on American Bandstand, which aired nationally and helped to popularize the dance across the country. The show’s host, Dick Clark, was a major proponent of the dance and encouraged his viewers to try it out for themselves. As a result, The Stroll became a staple at high school dances, weddings, and other social events throughout the late 1950s and early 1960s.