Timeline of Linedance History
Date Comment Dances
historic Folk Dances longways folk dances
about 1600 Country Dances - England  
1800's Square dancing & Contra dances - USA  
late 1800's Country & Western dancing - USA  
1800's-1900's Chorus line dances - Broadway USA  
1940's-1960's Contra dancing begins to show traces of modern day linedancing The Stroll (1940's)
1960's Fad contra-linedances Hully Gully, Mashed Potatoes
1970's Disco "line dances" Bus Stop, Nut Bush
1980 First recognised linedances Tush Push, Four Corners
1981 Oak Ridge Boys release "Fancy Free" Elvira
early 1980's Urban Cowboy - start of country influence Cotton-Eyed Joe, Two Step
late 1980's-1992 Rock 'n Roll & pop linedances predominate Copperhead Road, Cruisin', Electric Slide, Mustang Sally
1992 Achy Breaky Heart - linedancing becomes synonymous with country music Achy Breaky Heart
mid 1990's deluge of country linedances Waltz Across Texas, Linda Lu, Hot Tamales, Midnight Waltz, Dance Ranch Romp, Cowgirl's Twist, Smokey Places etc. etc.!
1994-1999 drift away from country music begins 13 MWZ, Cha Cha Lengua, Hey Bruce, Coastin', Quando When Quando, Red Hot Salsa, Funky Town etc. etc.
2000's linedancing a mix of music styles