A
AALARD
Guest
Hines Sr. of Hines, Hines and Dad dies
LAS VEGAS, Maurice Hines Sr., a self-taught drummer who joined his tap-dancing sons Gregory and Maurice Jr. as Hines, Hines and Dad, has died at a hospice in Las Vegas.
Relatives said the 88-year-old Hines died after a short illness Tuesday, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Hines got into show business after Merchant Marine service during World War II, a stint as a nightclub bouncer in Harlem and years as a White Rock soda salesman. After 10 years touring with his sons, he went on to become maitre d' at the Thunderbird Hotel in Las Vegas.
Hines's mother, Ora, danced at the Cotton Club.
His sons, who became professionals as the Hines Kids in the 1950s, brought their father into the act in 1963.
Maurice Jr. told the Times the trio auditioned seven times for the "Tonight Show" before Johnny Carson saw them perform at the Playboy Club in Chicago. They played the show many times, gaining a national spotlight.
Gregory Hines, an actor and the best-known tap dancer of his generation, died of cancer in 2003 at 57. Maurice Jr. is an actor, choreographer and director.
LAS VEGAS, Maurice Hines Sr., a self-taught drummer who joined his tap-dancing sons Gregory and Maurice Jr. as Hines, Hines and Dad, has died at a hospice in Las Vegas.
Relatives said the 88-year-old Hines died after a short illness Tuesday, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Hines got into show business after Merchant Marine service during World War II, a stint as a nightclub bouncer in Harlem and years as a White Rock soda salesman. After 10 years touring with his sons, he went on to become maitre d' at the Thunderbird Hotel in Las Vegas.
Hines's mother, Ora, danced at the Cotton Club.
His sons, who became professionals as the Hines Kids in the 1950s, brought their father into the act in 1963.
Maurice Jr. told the Times the trio auditioned seven times for the "Tonight Show" before Johnny Carson saw them perform at the Playboy Club in Chicago. They played the show many times, gaining a national spotlight.
Gregory Hines, an actor and the best-known tap dancer of his generation, died of cancer in 2003 at 57. Maurice Jr. is an actor, choreographer and director.
