Working the cotton fields of SC as a young boy wasn’t 9 to 5, it was can to can’t.
1918 he lost his leg in a cottonseed mill accident, his uncle built him his first Peg Leg.
1920 Peg Leg began dancing in amateur shows in Greenville, SC, in 1926 he joined Eddie Leonard’s Dashing Dinah company.
1928 he joined Blackbirds of 1928 touring revue, from the 1930 – 1940 he toured the United States and Europe.
1950 -1970 appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show over 22 times.
1951 he opened the Peg Leg Bates Country Club in Kerhonkson NY, sold it in 1989 and retired, except for Special appearances.