Gene Gene the Dancing Machine, 1932-2015, 1st black member of IATSE Local 33

[Newsjock]

Wink Martindale reports:
https://www.facebook.com/winkmartindalegames/posts/1698570620370057

Sad news of late that Eugene Patton has passed away...now you may be asking yourself, who is Eugene Patton? You may know him better as his on stage persona, Gene Gene the Dancing Machine.
Eugene was a stagehand working at NBC at the time Chuck Barris was taping The Gong Show. Chuck found Eugene's dancing during the breaks so entertaining, that he decided to put him on the show and Gene Gene the Dancing Machine was born.

Wikipedia adds:

Patton was the first African-American member of the International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees, Local 33.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

1. He was fun to watch - may he RIP

Man, that was so long ago.

[Marie Marie]

2. I loved him - RIP Mr Dancing Machine.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

3. Da da dunt dunt dunt, da da dunt dunt dunt.

[denbot]

4. It was painful, but fun to watch

RIP GGtDM

[progressoid]

5. This requires a video.

RIP Gene

[Myrina]

6. :( I adored Gene Gene!

The Gong Show was the highlight of my afterschool activities!!


Rest In Peace, Gene!

[Special Prosciuto]

7. But later they had people backstage throwing stuff at him.

I thought that was some trashy mocking.

[blue neen]

8. Ah, man.

Rip, Gene Gene. Those were the good old days.

[Tom Ripley]

9. I loved him during my teen stoner days RIP, Sir