IDENTIFICATION AND BIO:
Edward Love was a well-known member of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (where he began in 1973) and also as a Broadway dancer, in Raisin (1973), The Wiz, A Chorus Line (1978) and Dancin'. As an actor, he made appearances in the films To Kill a Cop and A Piece of the Action (1978), as well as a featured singer/dancer role in Hair. Significantly, Love was also a choreographer, responsible for the dances in the John Water's movie Hairspray (1988), among other industry-related choreography. Love graduated from Ohio University in 1970 where Bud Kerwin was his first significant dance teacher. He studied further in Connecticut before moving to New York to join the Ailey company. Love died of AIDS-related causes.
KEY CONTACT PERSON(S)/EXECUTOR OF ESTATE:
Sandra J. Aldridge, sister
15481 Asbury Park
Detroit, MI 48227
313-836-5762
fax same as home number
loveelect@aol.com
HUMAN REPOSITORIES OF THE WORK
(name and contact info, relationship to the artist and the work, assessment):
None identified.
VIDEO DOCUMENTATION
(location, format, condition, assessment):
Love's film choreography is available commercially, and much of his television work can be seen at the Museum of Film and Television in Los Angeles. Love's sister Sandra Aldridge (see above) holds videotape of theatrical shows (e.g., American Jukebox) that he directed and choreographed.
PHOTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTATION
(location, format, condition, assessment):
Aldridge holds photographs of Love dancing with the Ailey company. The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture at the New York Public Library holds a publicity photograph of Love in A Chorus Line, call number Sc Photo Theater, A Chorus Line theater stills collection [graphic], 1976.
MOVEMENT NOTATION
(location, type [including notes taken by dancers], assessment):
None identified.
PRODUCTION MATERIALS
(scores, sound recordings, set/costume designs):
None identified. Aldridge holds many audiotapes, many of which were probably working copies for music video choreography.
ORAL HISTORY:
Aldridge's audiotapes may include some interview material. None currently identified.
PERSONAL PAPERS
(location of newspaper clippings, printed programs, press releases, notes, files, diaries; assessment):
Aldridge holds copies of a memorial book created upon Love's death. The book includes Love's resume, photographic reproductions, and wishes from friends and family. The Dance Collection of the New York Public Library holds a clippings file on "Love, Edward," call number MGZR.
IMMEDIATE NEEDS
(archival assistance? storage? other?):
Aldridge is considering donating her materials. She has contact information for the Academy of Dance on Film in Los Angeles but follow-up may be required.
OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION:
None identified.
LIST OR OVERVIEW OF WORKS
(title, premiere date, music, production notes, performers):
This information compiled from Billman (see below) and from the memorial program produced by Love's family at the time of his death:
Music Videos: So Emotional for Whitney Houston; What's Love Got to Do With It for Tina Turner; Jump Start for Natalie Cole; and other videos for Billy Idol, Duran Duran, Steve Winwood and Chaka Kahn, Kurtis Blow, Lou Reed, and Bette Midler, among others.
Upstairs at O'Neal's (1982)—Broadway cabaret.
Williams and Walker (n.d.)—stage show, in which he also appeared.
Leader of the Pack (1983)—Off-Broadway show.
American Jukebox (n.d.)—national tour, also directed.
A—My Name is Alice (n.d.)—Off-Broadway and OOT, also directed.
Little Shop of Horrors (n.d.)—Florida.
Natalie Cole's Big Break (n.d.)—television program.
What's Alan Watching? (n.d.)—television program.
Shout (n.d.)—television series pilot.
Exterminator 2 (1984)—film choreography.
Hairspray (1988)—film choreography.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
- Billman, Larry. 1997. Film Choreographers and Dance Directors: An Illustrated Biographical Encyclopedia, with a History and Filmographies, 1893 through 1995. Jefferson, N.Carolina: McFarland & Co.
- Dance Magazine. 1992. "Obituaries: Edward M. Love, Jr." (March): 28.
- Dance USA Journal. 1992. "Obituaries: Edward M. Love, Jr." (winter): 25.
- Grubb, Kevin Boyd. 1988. "Broadway and Beyond: Putting the Bound in Hairspray's Dances." Dance Magazine (June): 62, ill.
- New York Times. 1992. "Edward M. Love Jr., Brodway Dancer, 43" (5 January): 24.
