The "Rockettes" are a dancing group founded in 1925 by Russel Markert. Originally they were called the "Missouri Rockets." The Rockets were such a success that a countrywide tour began, and at the end they landed in New York. 

Roxy Rothafel was a New Yorker who had just opened the new Roxy Theater. After seeing the Rockets, he knew that this was just the group he wanted for his theater. Roxy doubled the groups size and changed their names to the Roxyettes. Eventually, the name was changed to the current Rockettes.

At present there are more than 150 members of the Rockettes, allowing the famous dance group to not only perform their New York Show at Radio City Music Hall, but also to tour the nation, delighting audiences all over with their famous kick line.