Richard Wells (dancer)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Richard "Dickie" Wells (1908–1949) was an American tap dancer and playboy.[1] Wells was affectionately known as Mr. Harlem.[1] Initially he worked as part of the “Wells, Mordecai and Taylor” Dance Trio (Jimmy Mordecai, and Ernest Taylor) performed at locations such as The Cotton Club.[1] Wells parlayed his membership from the Dance Trio into being a nightclub owner.[2]

Playboy[]

Wells was very popular with women and was thought to have had relations with many famous women including Nina Mae McKinney, Joan Crawford, Tallulah Bankhead, Ava Gardner, and Lana Turner, Margherite Chapman (who later married Willie Mays), and .[1] He is said to have been the inventor of Chicken and Waffles.[1] This led to the same pairing of the food in 1976, by a Harlem native named Herb Hudson, who made Roscoe's House of Chicken and Waffles[3] Wells introduced Joe Louis to a number of women.[4]

Club[]

Wells owned and ran the "Dickie's Club". It was known for its food and it was here that he is said to have been the inventor of Chicken and Waffles.[1] His club was attended by numerous individuals including Tallulah Bankhead, Errol Flynn, Ava Gardner, Clark Gable, Bumpy Johnson and Charlie Chaplin, Joan Crawford, and Harlemite Walter Winchell.[5] A noted performer at his restaurant was Billy Daniels[6]

Trial[]

Wells was brought into a trial concerning Tallulah Bankhead.[7] Wells was also brought into a trial involving Jean Parks involving a US Diplomats Daughter who became a call girl.[8] It was also believed that Wells sold cocaine to Tallulah Bankhead.[9]

Death[]

Wells died of alcohol and cocaine at age 41.[1] He passed away at the apartment of Jean Parks.[10] Wells is buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx, NY.[11]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Magazine, Harlem World (December 10, 2021). "The Fabulous "Mr. Harlem," Dickie Wells, Harlem Playboy And Entrepreneur 1920-1949".
  2. ^ Brian Seibert (17 November 2015). What the Eye Hears : A History of Tap Dancing. Macmillan. ISBN 9780865479531. Retrieved December 13, 2021.
  3. ^ Magazine, Harlem World (August 10, 2020). "Well's Restaurant In Harlem, The Best Chicken And Waffles In The World 1938-1982".
  4. ^ Vitale, Rugio (October 12, 1990). Joe Louis. Holloway House Publishing. ISBN 9780870675706 – via Google Books.
  5. ^ Magazine, Harlem World (October 15, 2017). "Dickie Wells Club, Harlem, New York, 1940-1950".
  6. ^ "Celluloid Improvisations ♫ LEARN". Jazz-on-film.com.
  7. ^ Company, Johnson Publishing (December 27, 1951). "Jet". Johnson Publishing Company – via Google Books.
  8. ^ Company, Johnson Publishing (March 5, 1953). "Jet". Johnson Publishing Company – via Google Books.
  9. ^ Company, Johnson Publishing (January 3, 1952). "Jet". Johnson Publishing Company – via Google Books.
  10. ^ Company, Johnson Publishing (March 5, 1953). "Jet". Johnson Publishing Company – via Google Books.
  11. ^ "Black History | Woodlawn Cemetery • Crematory • Conservancy". Woodlawn.org.
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