Greg Campbellock Jr. of The Lockers: Dance Pioneer, Legendary Soul Train Dancer Passes

1pm – 8pm

Family and close friends are welcome to attend

Simpsons Family Mortuary
3443 W. Manchester Blvd.
Inglewood, CA 90305
323.752.5524

Tuesday: Feb. 16, 2010 Memorial for Greg Campbellock Jr.

7-11pm. Admission Free. Donations Optional. 18+ welcome to attend. Locking Tributes by Friends, Fans & Students of Greg Campbellock Jr including The Groovaloos, The Beat Freaks and more.

The Highlands
6801 Hollywood Blvd.
(Above the Kodak Theater)
Hollywood CA 90028

Please visit:
http://thelockersdance.com

Dave Gregory Pope was born to Dave and Catherine Pope on April 5th, 1952 at Fort McClellan in Calhoun, Alabama. His siblings are Teresia Pope-Hudson and Kenneth Pope. The family later moved from Anniston, AL to California in 1960 and settled in Compton where Greg attended Victory Elementary School, Walton Junior High School and Compton High School, graduating with the Class of 1970.

Greg’s creative interests started with guitar lessons at age 15. He also enjoyed art, drawing cartoons and portraits and had an interest in electronics. He become an excellent swimmer and learned to surf. It was during High School that Greg’s love for dance came to fruition, often filling in as the High School mascot.

The legendary Lockers reunited for a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Choreographer’s Carnival on Jan. 27th, 2010. From Left: Greg “Campbellock Jr.” Pope, Shabba-Doo, Toni Basil, Don “Campbellock” Campbell, Slim the Robot & Fluky Luke.

Greg acquired his passion for dancing from his parents. They entered ballroom dance contests before and up until the time Greg was born. His mother Catherine Pope died in 1968. One day while the family was watching the television show Soul Train, his father asked Greg if he thought he could dance as good as the kids on the show. His response was that he could dance just as good or better! In fact, Greg bet his father that the next time his father watched Soul Train that he would be on the show and he kept his word. Greg soon became a regular on Soul Train besides entering many dance contests at various clubs including the famed Mavericks Flat.

During this time Greg met Don “Campbellock” Campbell and began to emulate Don’s original new dance, The Campbellock. He was soon aptly named “Campbellock Jr” by dancer Damita Jo Freeman. In 1973, Greg became an original member of the now legendary dance group The Lockers, “The Group That Changed The Face Of Dance” along with fellow dancers Don (Campbellock) Campbell, Toni Basil, Fred (Mr. Penguin aka Rerun) Berry, Leo (Fluky Luke) Williamson, Bill (Slim the Robot) Williams and Adolfo (Shabba-Doo) Quinones. He was a brilliant improvisational dancer, acrobat and a stellar showman who exhumed Funk and Soul and was beloved by his fellow Lockers. He was also the ‘Line Captain’ of the group.

The Lockers’ resume was unprecedented for the time and has never been equaled by any dance group, touring the country in over 24 live performances and tours, among them being the opening act for Bill Cosby at Harrah’s Tahoe, Radio City Music Hall with the Ohio Players, Parliament Funkadelic, Grand Central Station, The Roxy with Cheech & Chong, and Carnegie Hall with Frank Sinatra. The group also performed in motion pictures, commercials and 29 television shows and specials which included Johnny Carson, The Carol Burnett Show, Saturday Night Live, The Grammy Awards, their very own TV special “Saturday Celebration”, and a triumphant return as the group The Lockers to Soul Train as special guest stars just to name a few! They made street dance an accepted American art form and paved the way for all street dancers that were to come.

On May 2, 1975, Greg married Wanda and resided in Orange County. Their daughter, Tenesha Y. Pope was born on Oct. 20, 1975. Gregory and Wanda divorced around 1988. Greg’s father, Dave Pope died in 1992. In 1993, Greg moved to Rialto, CA to be closer to his sister Teresia. It was during this time that he began his passion for teaching dance, specifically the art of Locking based on his own technique. Around the year 2000, his reputation as a charismatic teacher grew and garnered him a huge following. Teaching became Greg’s life. He started to travel the world introducing the art of Locking to new generations by instructing, performing, and judging competitions. His travels included: France, Germany, Switzerland, Japan, Taiwan, Korea, China, Brazil, Canada, Russia and the list goes on and on.

Gregory Pope aka “Greg Campbellock Jr.” played a major role in the creation of the Lock dance form. As an original member of The Lockers and a Master dancer, choreographer and instructor, he shared this amazing dance worldwide. Greg was extremely effective with his teaching methodology. His students benefited from his techniques and his passion for the dance was infectious. Extremely humble and social, Greg was very approachable and generous with his knowledge. His legendary status and pioneering qualities shined brightly as one stood in his presence. He truly left a huge impact on anyone who got to know him as well as the world of dance.

Greg was blessed with a loving spirit and great talent. He was admired and loved by many. Before transitioning to the hereafter, Greg’s last moments were spent with friends and his fellow legendary pioneers, The Lockers, at The Choreographers Carnival in Los Angeles on January 27, 2010. Greg passed away shortly after in the early hours of January 28th, 2010. This event was historical as The Lockers were brought together, after over twenty years, to accept lifetime achievement awards. Don “Campellock” Campbell, Flukey Luke, Shabba-Doo, Slim The Robot, Toni Basil and the late great Greg Campbellock Jr. were finally united and honored as one of the most significant dance troupes in history!

Greg was given life on this earth just long enough to be part of this memorable gathering and share a final wonderful moment with The Lockers. He was among people who acknowledged his legacy and incomparable contribution to the dance world. He passed on at a point in his career where all of his achievements were duly noted. The final experience in his life was filled with admiration, salutations and appreciation for his hard work. Greg not only helped to produce great dancers, he also mentored and nurtured great students and people.