Turn It Down: Loud dispatches from Lansing’s music scene

A look back: When Peg Leg Bates came to Lansing

Lansing-based musicians Lee Talboys and Don Lee worked with the legendary tap dancer

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From the 1920s through the 1980s, Clayton “Peg Leg” Bates (1907-1998) tap danced across the world and became one of the most well-known performers in his field. In his many travels, Lansing became one of his frequent stops in the late 1950s and ’60s. 

The South Carolina native, who lost his leg in a cottonseed-gin mill accident at age 12, died in 1998 at age 91. During his decades-long career, he performed on many prominent television shows, like “The Ed Sullivan Show,” but also made frequent tour stops at the Lansing Civic Center and other local venues. At the time, Bates would often commute from his home in Chicago, where he lived with his wife and two children.

While in Mid-Michigan, the dynamic showman struck up a longtime friendship with two popular Lansing musicians, Don Lee Bloomquist and Lee Talboys. While Bates danced, Talboys played tenor sax and Bloomquist played accordion. Throughout the ’60s, the trio performed as the halftime band for the Harlem Globetrotters at more than 600 games in 49 states. Bates also befriended renowned Lansing-based tap dancer Jimmie Walter, owner of Jimmie Walter's Dance Studio on North Washington Avenue.

In December 1957, Bates decided to try his hand at singing on record when he booked time with Bloomquist at the go-to recording spot in Lansing, Don Lee Studios. The songs, “The Funny Ol’ House” and “Save Your Sorrow (For Tomorrow),” were issued in 1958 by the locally operated Blue-Chip Records. While he was in town, the hardworking Bates also booked several shows, including a muscular dystrophy benefit at the Rollerdome, a Civic Center show, and a dance in Eaton Rapids. Dick French, A&R rep for Blue-Chip Records, handled the booking and promo for their pal, whom they called “Peg.” 

Being well known for his amazing dancing skills, Bates told the Lansing State Journal that he was thrilled to start a new venture in Lansing. “I have tried to maintain high standards for dancing through the years,” he said at the time, “and I plan to set a high goal for my singing as well. Most of the songs will be nostalgic and sentimental, but since rhythm has been my mark, I’ll naturally incorporate some of it also.”  

In 1960, Bates returned to Don Lee Studios (1438 E. Michigan Ave.) to cut another 45-rpm single, “Clayton Peg Leg Bates to You.” That record, which featured the B-side, “Life Can Be a Song,” was issued via Royalty Records, another Lansing imprint. A few months later, Bates returned and performed at the Reo Clubhouse. During an interview with the Lansing State Journal, Bates told reporter Neil Hunter that “(Don Lee) has the best equipment and recording set-up in the country.” He also said he enjoyed escaping the hustle and bustle of New York City, for the more low-key and affordable studio space. “Here we can spend several days concentrating on a single purpose,” Bates said.  

Music aside, during his local press interviews, Bates also talked about the loss of his leg, from the knee down, at a young age. “I feel the Lord made it possible for me to help others and encourage persons with physical disabilities,” he said. “I have tried to do that since my accident.” 

Through the 1970s, Bates remained a very active performer and made occasional appearances in the ’80s and ’90s. In 1998, just before his death, he danced at an event in his hometown of Fountain Inn, S.C.  The benefit show was to help raise funds to build a life-sized statue of him, which is at the town’s City Hall. 

Want to know more? YouTube has plenty of old clips of Bates performing. Also, his life was chronicled in the illustrated bio “Knockin' on Wood: Starring Peg Leg Bates,” a 2005 paperback by Lynne Barasch. 

Have any memories, photos or memorabilia from Peg Leg’s time in Lansing? Feel free to share your stories with the Historical Society of Greater Lansing, the organization is always looking for interesting music stories from our city’s past.

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