DJ Casper, the creator of the dance hit and wedding reception staple “Cha Cha Slide,” died Monday following a seven-year battle with cancer. He was 58.
His death was reported by his wife Kim to Chicago’s ABC7.
Born and raised in Chicago as Willie Perry Jr., DJ Casper wrote the instructional line-dance song in 1998 for his nephew’s aerobic class. Originally titled “Casper Slide Pt. 1,” the song, in which Casper provided step-by-step dance instructions – “To the right now/To the left/Take it back now y’all/One hop this time” – grew in local popularity and within two year a new version called “Casper Slide Pt. 2” began turning up on the radio.
With the backing of Chicago’s M.O.B. Records, the song, retitled “Cha Cha Slide,” became an international dance hit. He once marveled to the Chicago ABC affiliate, “I have one of the biggest songs that played at all stadiums: hockey,...
His death was reported by his wife Kim to Chicago’s ABC7.
Born and raised in Chicago as Willie Perry Jr., DJ Casper wrote the instructional line-dance song in 1998 for his nephew’s aerobic class. Originally titled “Casper Slide Pt. 1,” the song, in which Casper provided step-by-step dance instructions – “To the right now/To the left/Take it back now y’all/One hop this time” – grew in local popularity and within two year a new version called “Casper Slide Pt. 2” began turning up on the radio.
With the backing of Chicago’s M.O.B. Records, the song, retitled “Cha Cha Slide,” became an international dance hit. He once marveled to the Chicago ABC affiliate, “I have one of the biggest songs that played at all stadiums: hockey,...
- 8/8/2023
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
DJ Casper, whose song “Cha Cha Slide” became a staple at weddings and parties across the world, has died at the age of 58.
The Chicago native — whose real name was Willie Perry Jr. — had been battling kidney and liver cancer since 2016. According to ABC 7 Chicago, he passed away on Monday, August 7th.
DJ Casper initially wrote “Casper Slide Pt. 1” as an aerobic exercise for his nephew, who worked as a Bally fitness trainer. After the song was picked up by a local Chicago radio studio, he released a new version called “Casper Slide Pt. 2” — which would eventually become known the world over as “Cha Cha Slide.” The song was released by Universal Records and featured a companion music video inspired by Chicago’s stepping movement.
Over the years, DJ Casper also worked as an on-air personality for Chicago radio station V103.
DJ Casper, Creator of “Cha Cha Slide,” Dead...
The Chicago native — whose real name was Willie Perry Jr. — had been battling kidney and liver cancer since 2016. According to ABC 7 Chicago, he passed away on Monday, August 7th.
DJ Casper initially wrote “Casper Slide Pt. 1” as an aerobic exercise for his nephew, who worked as a Bally fitness trainer. After the song was picked up by a local Chicago radio studio, he released a new version called “Casper Slide Pt. 2” — which would eventually become known the world over as “Cha Cha Slide.” The song was released by Universal Records and featured a companion music video inspired by Chicago’s stepping movement.
Over the years, DJ Casper also worked as an on-air personality for Chicago radio station V103.
DJ Casper, Creator of “Cha Cha Slide,” Dead...
- 8/8/2023
- by Scoop Harrison
- Consequence - Music
DJ Casper, who created the world-famous “Cha-Cha Slide”, has died. He was 58.
The DJ — who was born Willie Perry Jr. — died on Monday, after a battle with cancer, ABC News reports.
The Chicago native reportedly created the iconic dance and song as a step aerobics routine, when he was helping his nephew, who worked as a fitness trainer at Bally’s Total Fitness, according to NPR.
The craze started soon after, when DJ Casper was inundated with requests to play the song at parties and events. It was soon picked up and played by Chicago’s Wgci-fm in 2000, and eventually released by Universal Records.
The song became a staple of birthday celebrations, bar mitzvahs and wedding receptions across the globe.
DJ Casper spoke with ABC7 Chicago in May, and reflected on his contribution to pop culture, sharing, “I have one of the biggest songs that played at all stadiums: hockey,...
The DJ — who was born Willie Perry Jr. — died on Monday, after a battle with cancer, ABC News reports.
The Chicago native reportedly created the iconic dance and song as a step aerobics routine, when he was helping his nephew, who worked as a fitness trainer at Bally’s Total Fitness, according to NPR.
The craze started soon after, when DJ Casper was inundated with requests to play the song at parties and events. It was soon picked up and played by Chicago’s Wgci-fm in 2000, and eventually released by Universal Records.
The song became a staple of birthday celebrations, bar mitzvahs and wedding receptions across the globe.
DJ Casper spoke with ABC7 Chicago in May, and reflected on his contribution to pop culture, sharing, “I have one of the biggest songs that played at all stadiums: hockey,...
- 8/8/2023
- by Becca Longmire
- ET Canada
Chicago legend DJ Casper, the creator behind the beloved “Cha Cha Slide,” died Monday. He was 58.
Casper’s wife, Kim, told ABC7, which first reported the news, that he had lost his battle to cancer with loved ones by his side.
He previously told the outlet in May that he had been diagnosed with kidney and liver cancer in 2016. “They went in to try to do surgery, and they found out the kidney was connected to the main artery, so they decided not to do it and just treat it.
Casper’s wife, Kim, told ABC7, which first reported the news, that he had lost his battle to cancer with loved ones by his side.
He previously told the outlet in May that he had been diagnosed with kidney and liver cancer in 2016. “They went in to try to do surgery, and they found out the kidney was connected to the main artery, so they decided not to do it and just treat it.
- 8/8/2023
- by Charisma Madarang
- Rollingstone.com
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