The original group was a trio "Anderson, Williams, and Walker", formed
in the mid-20s, and were not actually brothers even from the start. The
name was changed to "The Step Brothers" when a fourth dancer was added
a few years later. Founding members included
Al Williams and
Maceo Anderson, who
were mainstays of the group throughout its existence. The group
specialized in "flash" tap - fast footwork including acrobatic stunts,
and the act often had the form of a street 'challenge', with each
dancer in turn taking a solo and trying to outdo the others. They
started out performing at Harlem's Cotton Club with the
Duke Ellington Orchestra. From
there they went on to vaudeville and nightclub work, appearing in
nightclubs throughout the U.S. and also touring abroad.
The group continued working through the mid 1960s. The personnel
changed over the years, sometimes including singers; among the dancers
that joined the group were "Sunshine Sammy"
Ernest Morrison, Red Gordon, Sherman
Robinson, Happy ?,
Sylvester Johnson,
Freddie James, and in the final years
Prince C. Spencer and
"Flash"
Rufus L. McDonald.