Photo: Courtesy

History:

The Rockettes were founded in 1925 in St.Louis Missouri by choreographer Russell Markert. They were originally called the Rockets, but became the Roxyettes when they came to NYC to perform at the Roxy Theatre. When they moved to their current home, Radio City Music Hall, they became the Rockettes.

Photo: Courtesy Rockettes

While there are a few numbers that reappear every year, many costumes and numbers were changed every season to reflect the show’s theme and current events. For example, the Rockettes wore a Carmen Miranda-inspired costume in the 1940′s at the height of that actress’ popularity, and donned astronaut costumes in the 1960s just as the US was entering the space age. The 1980s saw the Rockettes wearing big hair (just like everyone else) and Bob Mackie-designed costumes. (No grunge in the 90s, though! The Rockettes are all about glamour.)