ST. LOUIS – This year marks the 100th birthday of the most iconic precision dance groups in the country, the Rockettes. Although, this milestone doesn’t reflect their start in New York City, but rather, in St. Louis.
In 1925, original founder Russell Markert introduced St. Louisans to the “Missouri Rockets” along Grand Boulevard in south city. The 26-year-old was inspired to create a group similar to the 1890s dance group The Tiller Girls from England in addition to the Ziegfield Follies.
The 16 dancers quickly garnered a high-profile reputation at the Missouri Theatre, noted as “one of the best dancing units in the world,” according to an archived article from the Star Times.
Soon after, the girls were touring around the Midwest, bringing their talent to different stages, but always coming back to St. Louis.
Over the years, the Rockets returned more frequently to New York City before officially relocating. S.L. Rothafel, known as Roxy, hired Markert to bring double the number of dancers and perform the show “Rain or Shine.”
For a brief period, the Missouri Rockets transformed into the “Roxyettes” in 1932 as they performed at The Roxy Theatre.
Later when Roxy partnered with John D. Rockefeller in the creation of Radio City Music Hall in 1934, they were renamed once more to their now famous name, “The Rockettes.” Despite moving hundreds of miles away from its origin, Markert continued his career with the dance group, maintaining a key role in their development until his retirement in 1971.
In 2007, The Rockettes gained their own star along the St. Louis Walk of Fame on Delmar Boulevard. They made their return to the Gateway City in 2012 at the Peabody Opera House.