"I had seen the John Tiller girls in the Ziegfeld Follies of 1922," Markert once reminisced. "If I ever got a chance to get a group of American girls who would be taller and have longer legs and could do really complicated tap routines and eye-high kicks... they'd knock your socks off!"

At Radio City's opening night, on December 27, 1932, they did just that. The Rockettes, discovered and brought to New York by consummate showman S.L. (Roxy) Rothafel who first dubbed them the "Roxyettes," shared the stage with 17 diverse acts, among them the Flying Wallendas, Ray Bolger and Martha Graham.

They were an instant sensation! Markert had created the quintessential American chorus line - an exciting precision drill team with great style. Starting with just 16 women, the numbers grew over the years to what is now a 36-member Rockette kick line.

In 1933, Radio City featured a new movie and a lavish stage production every week starring the Rockettes. Russell Markert's stringent requirements never varied, and he continued to stage and choreograph productions at the Music Hall until his retirement in 1971. This concept of the dance line was to achieve absolute precision. The audience saw 36 Rockettes perform intricate routines, but always moving as "one dancer." Everything - the height, the costumes and steps - was kept completely identical. The illusion of uniform height is maintained to this day by putting the tallest dancers in the center, and gradually decreasing the height with the shortest women at either end.

Radio City Ambassadors

In addition to starring in the many Radio City Spectaculars that have made the Rockettes world famous, the dance group has also spread the magic of Radio City Music Hall far beyond New York. They've toured in Broadway productions such as "Can Can," and with performers including Peter Allen, Liberace, Ann-Margret, Chita Rivera and Paula Abdul, among many others. They danced at the premieres of "Miracle on 34th Street," "102 Dalmatians" and the premiere engagement of Disney's "The Lion King."

Today's Rockettes

Today, the Rockettes play an integral role in many Radio City theatrical productions, special events and television productions. They star annually in The Radio City Christmas Spectacular in New York and around the country. They've tapped their way through the dreams of thousands of young girls, many of whom hope to add their own legs to that world-famous kick line.

In addition to performing across North America, each year the Rockettes appear in the nationally televised Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, inspiring scores of young dancers nationwide. For several years, they've opened the "Daytime Emmy Awards," broadcast live from Radio City Music Hall on ABC, and they have appeared on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" and the "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno." They are even the inspiration for their own Rockette doll.

Since 1932, more than 3,000 women have danced as Rockettes. Each year, in cities across America, hundreds of young women audition to be members of the internationally known troupe. Radio City Rockettes must be between 5'5" and 5'10" and must demonstrate proficiency in tap, jazz, ballet and modern dance. They must also display a radiant energy that will shine across the footlights to their audience.

Rockettes Are A National Treasure

The Radio City Rockettes perform with a signature precision that perpetually delights every new audience. Indeed, these "dancing daughters" - as their founder, Russell Markert always referred to them - have not only persevered for more than 75 years, but are thriving now more than ever.