| As
a youth in Cleveland he earned spending money
selling newspapers and as a constant entrant
in amateur shows. During his years at East
High School he worked as a delivery boy in
his Uncle Fred's meat market. He was also
a soda jerk, a shoe salesman, and a pool hustler.
After high school, Bob took
dancing lessons from entertainer King Rastus
Brown and from vaudeville hoofer Johnny
Root. A natural, he took over some classes
for his teachers. Bob also worked briefly
as a newspaper reporter and tried amateur
boxing under the name of Packy East. Bob
gave up boxing when he " was not only
being carried out of the ring, but into
the ring."
|
