Due to its cultural and historic power, Chubby Checker's 1960s dance hit, The Twist is one of the twenty five recordings that will be safeguarded at the Library of Congress. According to the library, the twentieth century song floods excitement and energy in the concert enthusiasts and for this reason, it is being inducted into the National Recording Registry.
Origin
Ernest Evans, famously known as Chubby Checker, was born in Spring Gulley, South Carolina but he was raised in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In Philadelphia, he lived with his two brothers and parents, Mrs. Eartle Evans and Raymond. Ernest was pretty young when his mother took him to watch an impressive piano prodigy, Sugar Child Robinson. He pulled inspiration from this piano sensation and formed a harmony group when he was only eleven.
Chubby already knew the art of playing piano when he entered high school. He entertained his classmates during and after the school timings at the South Philadelphia High School. With his amazing songs and jokes, he also amused the customers at the Fresh Farm Poultry as well as at the Produce Market. The Produce Market owner, Tony A. gave Ernest his pet name titled Chubby. Being inspired by Ernest's work, the owner of Fresh Farm Poultry, Henry Colt began to showcase his employee's skills to the customers through a loud speaker. Not only this, Henry and his friend, Kal-Mann together arranged for the little Chubby to do a private recording for Dick Clark. The recording was received quite enthusiastically by the music business associates including the Cameo-Parkway Records. This event marked the onset of Chubby Checker's successful career journey.
Musical Highlights
In June 1959, Chubby recorded his song, The Twist that topped the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart and landed at number two on the U.S. Billboard R&B Singles chart in 1960. Apart from the US charts, the song has also topped the UK and German charts. After a few years of release, a long list of the songs with “The Twist” expression came up, each with a new dance style. In 1961, Chubby recorded his number one hit, Pony Time on the R&B charts which remained there for sixteen weeks. Chubby made a record in the music industry when his hit single, The Twist, topped the charts once again in January 1962. He enjoyed triumphant success with the release of his hit records, The Fly and Let's Twist Again. The latter song has also won him a Grammy Award for the Best Rock & Roll Recording in 1962. Chubby continued to release a healthy dose of his hits including the Slow Twistin, Dancin' Party, and The Limbo Rock but the highlights of 2004 are the Dance Hall Beat and the Limbo Rock Remix. In July 2008, he performed all of his hits at The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland to great acclaim.
Chubby Checker Live
Chubby Checker delivers a non-stop, high energy performance that you cannot afford to miss. He is not just a singer but an entertainer who knows how to please the crowd. He is also a kind and generous man who walks out into the audience, gather hugs from fans and also sign autographs for them. Chubby brings many people on stage to do the twist and even mingles with the crowd on the floor; hence the crowd interaction is always at its peak during the show. Although he is seventy-two years old but he can still dance better than any twenty-five year old concertgoer. Attending his concert is a thrilling musical experience which is why Chubby Checker tickets always sell like hot cakes. Pick up your deal if you want to be a part of this musical treat.