The untold truth of the Rockettes

For over 90 years audiences have gotten a massive kick out of the Rockettes. Originally christened the Missouri Rockets, the legendary precision dance troupe formed in St. Louis in 1925, seven years before Radio City Music Hall opened. When the not-yet-Rockettes traveled to the Big Apple, they caught the eye of showman S.L. "Roxy" Rothafel, leading to the creation of the New York-based Roxyettes, who became the Rockettes. Their machinelike synchronization and unstoppable vigor made them a mainstay at Radio City, where their productions featured weekly alongside classic films like King Kong and Mary Poppins over the course of more than 700 movie openings.
Far more than just performers, the Rockettes provided lightheartedness in America's darkest hours. According to the Oregonian, their trademark Christmas Spectacular was specifically created to make people smile during the Great Depression. Rockettes also entertained U.S. troops in Berlin during World War II. Over the years they crossed paths with infamous figures, grappled with personal hurdles, inspired rioters, and had weird experiences, and collectively became a prominent monument to American culture. Here's the untold truth of the Rockettes.