TERRY MONAGHAN Obituary

MONAGHAN--Terry. We mourn the passing of Terry Monaghan, the co-founder of London's Jiving Lindy Hoppers, who played a major role in the world-wide revival of Swing. He was 67 years old. An indefatigable researcher and relentless interviewer, Terry was the world's foremost authority on Harlem's Savoy Ballroom, the home of happy feet and the home of the Lindy Hop. If there is a great ballroom in the sky, he joins Al and Frankie, Whitey and Leon, and the other great Lindy Hoppers from the Savoy. We will miss him and always remember him. Larry Schulz and Sandra Cameron

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Published by New York Times on Jun. 29, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for TERRY MONAGHAN

8 Entries

Mickey Davidson

June 23, 2025

The impact of Terry's leadership with the Jiving Lindy Hoppers, his research
on the dance form and the people who participated in the early days is still being used today as this dance form continues to develop into a global expression. He is greatly missed. Mickey Davidson

malikia Gabay

July 26, 2011

I met Terry though my mother's best friend and former Lindy Hopper Elnora Dyson. I was doing some research on my mother, Frances "Mickey " Jones. She and her partner William Downes were the first couple to swing out in "Hellzapoppin". While I knew some things there was a lot that i did not know about my mother. Terry came to interview me and along the way he assisted in guiding and offering suggestion for my work. After I wrote an article for the Jean Sampson Genealogical Society,he reviewed it for historical accuracy. Terry was patient, passionate about his work and ver encouraging. he taught me to be a better researcher.
Oftentimes I would e-mail Terry and tell him he had to concentrate on his Phd and book. he would say yes he was going to do that. However anythime someone called for assistance, Terry was right there often negelecting his own work...and he did work hard for a number of years. We will miss him dearly. But I know he is jazzing it up.

July 19, 2011

I had been trying for months to reach Terry. With no response to my emails I became increasingly worried. Today, I learned of his passing when I saw his obituary on the web.
We met in 1989 at a CORD conference and we quickly discovered our jazz dance common ground: Pepsi Bethel (my former teaching/mentor) and dancer Luther Fontaine (my good friend).
After that Terri and I communicated via email; phone; snail mail. Several times on his treks to visit jazz greats he stayed at our home in Charlotte. He last stayed with us when he was here to attend the 2007 Eleanor Atkinson Watson "Stumpy" memorial service. Subsequently, we collaborated on a book chapter. I feel fortunate to have known Terry. I value time and communication with him. He was a tireless advocate for jazz. He respected the form and dancers, singers, musicians who made it happen; and he understood the historical of jazz.
I will miss Terry. My heart goes out to his family and friends. May Terry dance in that great ballroom in the sky.
Sincerely,
Karen W. Hubbard

Nancy Kane

July 11, 2011

Terry and I met in 1996 at the Congress on Research in Dance conference. He and I remained friends from that day forward, sharing information, resources, holiday newsletters, love of Irish dancing, and profound respect and admiration for the thread of social dance in the fabric of community. He always encouraged me and inspired people all over the world to follow their hearts in dance research. What a profound loss to the world of dance scholarship has been felt with his passing. My heart and thoughts go out to his wife and family at this time, and I hope to be at his NYC memorial this fall.

Terry and my family at the Charlotte Coliseum

Lori Scott

July 8, 2011

Terry touched our lives from the moment he first spoke with me regarding his work in 2000 to the passing of my grandmother "Eleanor Atkinson Watson" (Stumpy) in 2007 when he flew to Charlotte to be here for her memorial and share her story. Terry made everyone feel his passion for Lindy Hop Dance as he told of the many dancers and their stories. My grandmother would call me with such excitement and say my grandson Terry is coming from London and she has to make him tea & breakfast. Terry's memory will live on through his work forever. We love you Terry! Our Condolences to your family. May they know just how much you meant to us.
Lori Scott & Family

Mickey Davidson

July 5, 2011

Terry's life took him all over the world and into many communities listening to and recording people's personal stories about dance and life. His voice influenced the flow and standards of this dance for this generation through his research and support of the Jiving Lindy Hoppers. Most of all he will be missed as a friend and brother in dance/life study.

Harry Monaghan

July 1, 2011

Thank you Larry and Sandra, that's a really nice tribute, It is lovely to see he is being remembered so affectionately.
Harry Monaghan (Terry's son)

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