This is an interesting story because it relates to capoeira. I'm not trying to find a correlation but it is plan to see. There was a gay capoeira mestre who terrorized Rio de Janeiro in the 30's called Madame Satan.
http://www.cinemamontreal.com/aw/cdv...dame_Sata.html
The stories are too common! I have read about Jailhouse Rock and think it is an offshoot of Knockin n Kickin. Knockin n Kickin can be found in the Free Islands off South Carolina. There have been reports about slaves who used this style to fight. The style was imported from African Slaves. The Free Islands were the only place Blacks were allowed to keep their African traditions.
My theory is that one of them passed on the style in jail an over the year?s new techniques were added. I find the written techniques similar to capoeira. At least the theories behind the applications. Capoeira like Jailhouse relies on spontaneity and unpredictability.
I saw Dennis Newsome years ago. (9 years) This was before I became interested in Jailhouse Rock and he never mentioned it. The event I saw him was at a Capoeira batizado. He showed up and they introduced him.