Popin Pete

Popin' Pete
Popin' Pete in China, 2011
Born	Timothy Earl Solomon (1961-08-05) August 5, 1961 (age 55) Fresno, California
Occupation	Dancer, choreographer
Website	http://www.electricboogaloos.com/

Popin’ Pete (born Timothy Earl Solomon, August 5, 1961) is an American dancer, choreographer, innovator, one of the originators of the "popping" dance style and member of the Electric Boogaloos. Pete’s career has spanned over thirty years since the emerging of popping dance to developing funk culture as a whole.

Being inspired by his older brother, “Boogaloo” Sam Solomon, who by that time had already mastered all existing street dance styles, Pete would always watch Sam dance and learn from him . Around the years 1975-1976 Sam created the popping & boogaloo styles of dance. He developed a set of basic movements and founded The Electric Boogaloos. The group is responsible for the creation of the dance known worldwide as "popping".

Popin’ Pete is a first generation member of The Electric Boogaloos, joining the group in 1978, Pete began to learn the popping style. According to Pete, he learned to pop first because boogaloo was too difficult. Boogaloo Sam as a creator of the group taught basics to the members of The Electric Boogaloos. As all the members were very experienced and passionate dancers, the group soon became successful. During that time, Pete and the other members of The Electric Boogaloos appeared on many popular shows including: The Midnight Special, Kicks and Soul Train in the United States. (firstly in 1980 ).

In 1982, Michael Jackson, after seeing their Soul Train performance, approached members of The Electric Boogaloos to choreograph both the "Thriller" and "Beat It" videos. Their relationship with Jackson spanned almost two decades working in various roles — from numerous music videos (e.g. "Beat It", Captain EO & Michael Jackson's Ghosts) to multimedia movies, live performances, choreography, and lessons.