How the Tango Became a Sensation

 The tango has become a popular ballroom dance in many parts of the world. But how did the tango ascend from a relatively unknown dance in the poor neighborhoods of Buenos Aires to an international sensation?

What drove its widespread acceptance in Argentina and in many other popularity is a captivating story. Beginnings Little is known about the early history of the dance despite its relatively recent origin. Definitive documentary evidence is lacking. The originators of the dance left no written records of how it came to be. This is indeed a sad state of affairs for dedicated tango. there is, however, intriguing speculation about the birth of the tango. Some believe that it began in the brothels of Argentina. Others reject that position, arguing that it has no supporting evidence.

Another view is that the tango had its roots in the candombe dance practiced by African immigrants in Buenos Aires during the late 19th century. Young men known as compatriots imitated the same steps and turns used by the Africans. When they returned to their poor neighborhoods the candombe became amalgamated with a fast polka called the milonga and the steps evolved even further.
 

 Still another view is that the Argentine Tango was an adaptation of the Spanish Andalusian Tango. But all three positions remain speculation and the lack of evidence charge could be leveled against the latter two as well.

Infancy By the late 19th century the dance, whatever may have been its origin, somehow appeared in rudimentary form. Tango dancing originated in the poor neighborhoods of Buenos Aires. The comparisons are recognized as having popularized the movements of the tango. These fellows tended to be poor and used a fairly standard style of clothing: a droopy hat, half-boots with high heels, a handkerchief around the neck, and baggy pants. A number of them were former gauchos who had recently arrived on the urban scene. They were considered tough customers and often had a knife tucked in their belts.

The tango was fairly well known in Buenos Aires, provincial cities, and Montevideo, Uruguay by the turn of the 20th century. Aside from the compatriots, the sons of rich families did much to let people know about the dance. Groups of upper-class youth would go to dances in poor neighborhoods, even though their parents did not approve of what went in the barrios, and learn about the tango. They then spread the news about this new craze and those of all social standings became aware of it. 

The Tango Takes Off! How did the tango gain widespread acceptance in the country of its birth? Though already well known, tango dancing was not accepted by the Argentine upper class for some time because it was considered immoral. That attitude changed when the dance became popular overseas. But there is controversy about what caused the tango explosion in Europe.

One theory is that an Argentinean named Ricardo Guiraldes, who was known as a writer and poet, performed the tango in Paris during his 1910 European tour. That performance caused an immediate sensation and resulted in the spread of the dance throughout the continent "Tango men who attended dances in the poor neighborhoods of Buenos Aires and made the tango known to their friends. Some of those young men traveled to Europe, especially Paris, and danced the tango during their visit. Though ironic considering the overall disdain of their social class, those dancers caused the tango to be received enthusiastically in Europe. Both views are probably correct.

What is certain, however, is that before World War 1 the tango was becoming popular in cities as diverse as London, New York, and Paris. It is also agreed that this foreign acceptance finally moved the Argentine upper classes to embrace the dance. The popularity of the tango was accelerated through the career of Argentine singer and composer Carlos Gardal. During the 1920s GardÃl was a star as a result of his recordings, concerts in Europe, and films. Gardél's extraordinary talent made him the most effective ambassador for the tango.