Chicago (AP) – Willie Perry Jr., famous Chicago disc jockey known as “DJ Casper” and renowned creator of the “Cha Cha Slide” dance, has passed away. He was 58 years old.
Perry was given a cancer diagnosis in 2016, and his wife confirmed his passing on Monday in a statement to WLS-TV.
In her statement, his wife Kim said, “Casper was a fun-loving and generous person. He was a true family man. He had a deep love for Chicago. He will be greatly missed.”
The ‘Cha Cha Slide,’ which has been well-liked for roughly 20 years, continues to be a hit at weddings, clubs, and various other events. Participants usually dance in lines and rows, following the sequence of when and where to step, stomp, jump, and slide.
In May, Perry told WLS-TV in an interview that the ‘Cha Cha Slide’ initially began as an aerobic exercise for his nephew, who worked at a fitness club. It would later grow in acceptance throughout the world.
“From there, it just took off,” he said. I have the tune that is played in stadiums for baseball, football, basketball, and hockey. He played it at the Olympics. It was something everyone could do.”
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Perry said that in 2016, he was diagnosed with kidney and neuroendocrine cancer. He informed the television station, “Doctors attempted surgery and found that the kidney was connected to the main artery, so they chose not to proceed further and decided to only “focus” on it.”on its treatment.”
Perry mentioned that due to the illness, his weight had dropped by about 60 pounds (27.2 kilograms). “If you know me, you know I’m not one to give up,” he said. “I will keep moving forward. I’ll keep walking until I can’t.”
He said, “Anyone going through cancer, know that you have cancer, but cancer doesn’t have you.” “So, keep sliding, cha-cha.”
The Associated Press was unable to reach Perry’s family for comment on Tuesday.
DJ Casper, Chicago disc jockey and creator of ‘Cha Cha Slide,’ dies after battle with cancer