An interesting aspect of Sonny Rollins's career was that after he had become a top nightclub attraction he became dissatisfied with his performance. He retired for two years, from the summer of 1959 to the fall of 1961 (and again in 1969), in order to practice. (Stories are that much of this practicing took place on top of the Williamsburg Bridge in New York City.) Such retirement action takes great courage and dedication. The consensus seems to be that Rollins's absence did bring his coordination to real excellence.