Back in November of 2000, I had the honor of having dinner with the legendary “Boogie Woogie Man” Jimmy Valiant and his wife Angel. It was truly an experience I will always remember.

“Boogie” is a “laid back cool cat,” who, through his soft-spoken, humble demeanor, quietly told tales ranging from when an irate Mid-South fan tossed a brick through the windshield of his truck to seeing Ric Flair and Ricky Steamboat as merely wrestling trainees. It was quite an honor to listen to Jimmy’s fascinating stories, which span through several decades of wrestling history.

(Editor's note: this interview was conducted on 1/10/01)

Pinfalls: How old were you when you got started in professional wrestling? Who or what were your influences?

Boogie: I was 21 and was influenced by Frank Zella and Dick The Bruiser, who would train me in Chicago, Illinois in 1962.

Pinfalls: Who was your 1st match with and how did it feel to perform in front of an audience for the 1st time?

Boogie: Billy Gills ... It was thrilling

Pinfalls: In retrospect, who would you select as your favorite "opponent" to work with? Your favorite feud?

Boogie: In the 60's was Dick The Bruiser; 70's it was Bruno Sammartino; 80's it was Ivan Koloff; 90's it was Jerry Lawler. My favorite feud--Boogie Man Jam in 1984 with Paul Jones and the Assassins.

Pinfalls: How did the moniker "Boogie Woogie Man" originate?

Boogie: [It was] 1980 [and I was] in Charlotte, NC. I looked around and there were too many blonde "Pretty Boys" ... so I grew a long beard and wore a bandanna and called myself "The Boogie Woogie Man."

Pinfalls: Many of today's young stars look to The Rock and Steve Austin as the "name" performers of this era. Who was the "name" performer when a young Jimmy Valiant was a rookie?

Boogie: Dick The Bruiser and Vern Gagne.

Pinfalls: In your opinion, what wrestler do you view as the exact opposite of the character they portrayed? What about the closest?

Boogie: I would include myself in there and also Ivan Koloff. The closest would be about 90% of the guys.

Pinfalls: How much are you similar to your "Boogie Woogie" persona?

Boogie: Boogie was a wild and crazy guy and I am a laid back cool cat. But we both love the fans.

Pinfalls: What is your favorite memory of "Captain" Lou Albano?

Boogie: Captain Lou was given his name by me. I named Lou "The Captain" one day when I heard the "Mule Skinner Blues" on the radio. I told Lou to get a whistle and blow signals for me and Johnny [Valiant] in the ring because he was "The Captain." He is so funny and he gave me so many good laughs. I love him.

Pinfalls: Who, in your opinion, are wrestling's true tough guys and why?

Boogie: Just to name a few ... the Baron, Mad Dog, Billy Robinson and The Iron Sheik. They all could hurt you if they wanted or chose to.

Pinfalls: What is your funniest Gorilla Monsoon story?

Boogie: Gorilla was blind as a bat. He would have to hold onto the ref going to the ring just to find it.

Pinfalls: You mentioned having extreme fan heat during your feud with Jerry "The King" Lawler during your Mid-South days... what were some scary incidents with fans that come to mind?

Boogie: They used to [have to] sneak me in and out of the areas. The fans were so mad one night that they cut up the seats and were trying to break into the dressing room doors ... [they] were planning to lynch me.

Pinfalls: We've always heard of Lawler's fabled popularity in his home state, specifically Memphis ... is this legendary stature true?

Boogie: Yes, I always told him to run for mayor and last year he finally did. He almost got it.

Pinfalls: Can you think of a time when you were genuinely nervous or intimidated by an opponent before a match?
Boogie: Yes, but it is my job. You just go out and do it.

Pinfalls: While once closely guarded and respected, the veil of secrecy is no longer protected. Why do you feel these changes occurred and which do you prefer, a protected or unprotected business?

Boogie: It doesn't matter to me. If a person believes in it, there is not a thing that anyone can say or do to change their minds. The same if a person doesn't believe in it, there is nothing a person can say or do to change their minds either.

Pinfalls: Aside from the unguarded nature of the business, wrestling has obviously gone through many drastic changes in content such as gray areas between faces and heels, and soap-opera, adult oriented story-lines. What are your views of these changes?

Boogie: It is cool with me because it is working. If it wasn't working, they would be going another way. I have a wrestling camp in Shawsville,Virginia and at BWC (Boogie's Wrestling Camp) we teach here the old school plus the current stuff. Check out our web site at www.Jimmyvaliant.com

Pinfalls: Are the days of televised wrestling as family entertainment gone only to be replaced by the coveted 18-34 year-old male demographic?

Boogie: I don't think so. There are many indy promotions starting up all the time with their small cable TV deals. They are all old school.

Pinfalls: ECW has been a main focus of criticism over the past few years for their angles and "extreme" nature. Do you watch ECW and if so, what do you think of their "new school" style?

Boogie: I don't watch much TV at all. But I don't have to because my students at BWC keep me well informed each week of the goings on.

Pinfalls: Wrestling has drawn critics, ranging from news shows to the PTC about the lack of responsibility promotions are showing towards their young fans. Can you think of any instance where you found yourself agreeing with the critics?

Boogie: What I do at BWC is teach the kids the right way to do everything without getting hurt. Also, everything is positive here at our camp. They are all my kids from 15 years old to 50 years old. We take care of each other.
Pinfalls: There are many tales of unscrupulous promoters in the business. Do you have any "horror stories" regarding promoters?

Boogie: I have been very fortunate to work at all of the major associations in the world. They were mostly all first class. I have no complaints.

Pinfalls: We often hear how wrestling is treated with much more respect in countries like Japan and England, where more emphasis is given towards the sporting versus entertainment aspects. How were wrestlers and the sport itself received in the many countries you've toured through?

Boogie: You are right. It is a big deal in most of the rest of the countries. You are featured on the sporting section of their newspapers. Also, the news broadcasts announce the results.

Pinfalls: Over the years, we've seen too many sad stories emerge from the ring. The Eddie Gilberts, Brian Pillmans and Von Erichs have left us with a somber reminder of the downside to the glitz, glamour and money that most of the public sees. What can a wrestler do to endure and thrive in this business the way you have?

Boogie: Don't let all the pressure, fame and fortune go to your head. In other words, don't start to believe your own publicity. Just keep a cool head and don't over do anything.

Pinfalls: What would you reply back to the critics who sum up wrestling as "fake acting?"

Boogie: If a person believes in pro wrestling, there is nothing that anybody can say or do to change his mind. If they don't believe, it's just the reverse. It's that simple.

Pinfalls: Besides Bret Hart, we've heard very few wrestlers speak out in favor of a wrestler's union. Do you feel that there is a need for a Union and what is your advice for young grapplers on saving money and conserving themselves in the industry?

Boogie: They have been trying to get a union organized ever since I started nearly 40 years ago. It will never happen.

Pinfalls: If you were to pick the weirdest moment you've ever witnessed inside or inside the ring, what would that be?

Boogie: [I was in] Memphis, Tennessee in the early 1980's. [There was a] fifty man battle royal and the ring fell down. Man it was a mess. It looked like a train wreck.

Pinfalls: In retrospect, what do you view as your greatest accomplishment in the world of wrestling?

Boogie: My goal is to wrestle every week for forty years. I'm almost there. That would be my greatest accomplishment.

Pinfalls: What's the last good movie you've seen either in theaters or on video? Keeping that train of thought, what's your favorite wrestling related movie?

Boogie: "Quest for Fire." The best wrestling video, of course, is Vol.1 or Vol. 2 of "The Best Of Handsome Jimmy 'The Boogie Woogie Man' Valiant." They can be ordered off of my web site. Thanks.

Pinfalls: And finally, what's the most frequently asked question posed by fans and if you could answer it one last time and never have to answer it again, what would that question be?

Boogie: "How can I become a professional wrestler?" I just give them a card that says, "Boogie's Wrestling Camp" [with my address] 2916 Alleghany Springs Road, Shawsville, VA 24162. Write or e-mail me at: boogie@usit.net [and] I can send you all the information that you will need to know about making your dreams come true.

Word Association With Boogie

Ric Flair: Classy; Andre the Giant: Sweetheart; Hulk Hogan: Cool;
Vince McMahon: Smart; Steve Austin: Good; Lou Thesz: Tough;
Bobby Heenan: Great; Freddie Blassie: Funny; Dusty Rhodes: Sharp;
The Road Warriors: Good; Jim Crockett: OK; Harley Race: Tough;
Dick the Bruiser: Master; Bruno Sammartino: Top; Terry Funk: Crazy

Visit Boogie's site at: www.JimmyValiant.com