Richard Hiram "Dick" Jensen (April 9, 1942 â€" June 21, 2006), was a
live musical performer of the Rhythm and Blues, Soul, and Gospel
genres. His signature on-stage style incorporated strenuous dance
moves similar to those of Jackie Wilson. He was born in Kalihi, Hawaii
on the island of Oahu.Jensen was a native Hawaiian athletic song
stylist whose "white hot soul" electrified audiences. He was of
Hawaiian, French, Danish, English and Irish descent.A graduate of
Farrington High School, he first used the stage name Lance Curtis. He
was a main showroom caliber draw who filled rooms at the Outrigger
Waikiki, the Oceania Floating Restaurant, Hilton Hawaiian Dome, Reef
Towers Polynesian Palace and the Hula Hut.By 1968, this one-time
opening act for the Rolling Stones had become an international
performer, signing with Don Costa Productions and began performing at
the El Quid in Mexico City. He often divided his career between the
islands and Las Vegas, Nevada. Jensen earned the sobriquet "The Giant"
because of his tall stature, but he had a talent to match that
nickname. His vocal stylings came deep from his Hawaiian soul, as he
danced around the stage. Some have compared seeing his physicality on
stage to watching the seemingly effortless glide of a professional ice
skater. In 1970, he was appearing at the Century Plaza in New York
City, in his debut of that city. In 1970, 1971, 1972 and 1973, he
appeared at the Copacabana in New York, aptly being compared to James
Brown, the superstar most analogous to Jensen's onstage style.
live musical performer of the Rhythm and Blues, Soul, and Gospel
genres. His signature on-stage style incorporated strenuous dance
moves similar to those of Jackie Wilson. He was born in Kalihi, Hawaii
on the island of Oahu.Jensen was a native Hawaiian athletic song
stylist whose "white hot soul" electrified audiences. He was of
Hawaiian, French, Danish, English and Irish descent.A graduate of
Farrington High School, he first used the stage name Lance Curtis. He
was a main showroom caliber draw who filled rooms at the Outrigger
Waikiki, the Oceania Floating Restaurant, Hilton Hawaiian Dome, Reef
Towers Polynesian Palace and the Hula Hut.By 1968, this one-time
opening act for the Rolling Stones had become an international
performer, signing with Don Costa Productions and began performing at
the El Quid in Mexico City. He often divided his career between the
islands and Las Vegas, Nevada. Jensen earned the sobriquet "The Giant"
because of his tall stature, but he had a talent to match that
nickname. His vocal stylings came deep from his Hawaiian soul, as he
danced around the stage. Some have compared seeing his physicality on
stage to watching the seemingly effortless glide of a professional ice
skater. In 1970, he was appearing at the Century Plaza in New York
City, in his debut of that city. In 1970, 1971, 1972 and 1973, he
appeared at the Copacabana in New York, aptly being compared to James
Brown, the superstar most analogous to Jensen's onstage style.
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