I Love Steppin Remembers a Legend...Ed Anderson Back

Feb 9, 2014

By Tracey Bivens

We lost a humanitarian, social activist, loving father and the founder of Smooth as Silk Inc. in Ed Anderson this weekend. However, his servitude to the Detroit community in general will always be cherished by those who really knew him.

The Detroit dance community has always acknowledged themselves as dancers first before claiming themselves as promoters, instructors, DJs, etc. Ed Anderson was no exception. For over 40 years, Ed Anderson made his ballroom dancing and instructional skills known in the early 70s starting with The Blue Chateau, The Climax, The Lady, Piper’s Alley and seguing into the 90s with The Detroit West Club, Reggie’s Moulin Rouge, Yesterdays, Yesterdays Paradise and many more. Through the decades, there are hundreds of ballroom dancers, both male and female, who had the opportunity to have Ed personally instruct them in the basic steps of the dance. In addition, there are many local dancers who hold recognition certificates bestowed upon them by the North to South Certification Committee that Anderson created. In the name of the Detroit City Council, Anderson initiated these certificates so that people could be recognized for their accomplishments in either the instruction of a particular dance or in their showcasing of it. Ed Anderson made sure to give people their flowers while they were still alive.

Says Steady Steppers founder, Larry Collins, "Ed Anderson helped the Steady Steppers launch their classes at the Hunters Supper Club back in 2003. I noticed that a lot of people would follow Ed everywhere he wanted to showcase the dance. Because of that, I coined him "The Pied Piper of Ballroom.” Ed wasn’t just local either. Pensacola, Florida has also been touched by Ed’s leadership as well as Cleveland, Flint, and Saginaw. Ed will truly be missed.”

Longtime friend and pioneering Detroit DJ, Tyrone "The Godfather” Bradley, wants the local and national community to know a few things about Ed Anderson as well.

"Mr. Ed Anderson, aside from all the other things he did, had a spirit that radiated through adversity, controversy and a lot of things that the average person would shy away from. What I want people to know about this man is that he would ALWAYS tell you, ‘If I haven’t told you this today…I love you and have a great day!’ That demonstrated the great depth of his character as a man. We should emulate him because we need more individuals like him. I give this man much respect!”

I Love Steppin would like to acknowledge Ed Anderson’s newest dance assignment….dancing among the heavens!