Billy Ricker and WillaMae Ricker were Savoy dancers in the early ‘30’s. She and her childhood friend, Frankie Manning, were together the first time they went to the Savoy.

Both were members of Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers and Billy was later a member of Norma Miller’s “Jazzmen”. During World War II, WillaMae managed the Harlem Congaroos and she continued dancing with this troupe of premiere dancers after Frankie Manning came back from the war and took over the management.

Billy and WillaMae were both were in the famous Lindy scene in the movie, “Hellzapoppin’ (he with Norma Miller; she with Al Minns) , and in “Hot Chocolate.” WillaMae was also featured in the movies “A Day At The Races”, “Killer Diller” and “The Spirit Moves”.

Billy was known for having airstep after airstep in his dancing and for creating the “Mutiny’ style of Lindy dancing, so named when Frankie Manning claimed he was doing “Mutiny” against traditional Lindy Hop.

WillaMae is famously known for her photo spread with Leon James in an August 1943 issue of Life Magazine, doing some incredible aerials (see bottom photo). High praise was given to her from Frankie Manning, who is
quoted as saying, “She was one of the greats of Lindy Hop. She was the soul and heart of the dance,” and specifically acknowledged her physical strength and her skills in doing the aerials. She was thought to be one of the most versatile Lindy Hopper at the Savoy.

In addition, she was known for her fashion sense (in fact, she became a model in the late ‘50s), her dependability and sweet disposition, her strong business sense and her passion to dance (she reportedly never stopped dancing). Norma Miller also credited her for being the first to stand up to Herbert “Whitey” White, demanding that they get paid what they were worth.

Billy and WillaMae Briggs were high school sweethearts and were married in the late ‘30’s, and although they rarely danced together professionally, they remained happily married for the rest of their lives, until she passed away in 1978. Billy passed away in 1987.