Every generation has its music icons. To most Americans, the name Chubby Checker is synonymous with the dance known as The Twist. In June of 1959, Chubby recorded “The Twist”. Bernie Lowe, president of Cameo Parkway records was not initially impressed with Chubby’s recording and felt it may be a “B” side at best. However, Chubby felt “The Twist” was something special and worked hard promoting the record by undertaking non-stop rounds of TV dates, interviews and live performances. Fourteen months later, in the summer of 1960, “The Twist” was a hit.
“The Twist” was not only the #1 song but it introduced the concept of “dancing apart to the beat”. Over the next few years, endless songs incorporating “The Twist” into its name sprang up such as “Peppermint Twist”, “Twist and Shout” and “Twistin’ the Night Away”. In addition, each new song brought a new dance involving “dancing apart to the beat” such as “The Jerk”, “The Hully Gully”, “The Boogaloo” and “The Shake”. At the forefront was Chubby with “The Fly”, “The Pony” and “The Hucklebuck”.
The next few years were prolific for Chubby as hit followed hit. In 1961, Chubby recorded “Pony Time” written by Don Covay and John Berry. It went to #1 and stayed on the charts for 16 weeks. In between recording and touring, Chubby took time to add feature films to his portfolio with the releases of Don’t Knock The Twist and Twist Around The Clock.
In the fall of 1961, record industry history was made when Checker’s original hit record, “The Twist”, re-entered the charts and by January of 1962, it was back in the #1 position. No other record before or since has accomplished that feat. Combining its 1960 run with its 1961/62 return, “The Twist” spent an amazing nine months total on the U. S. best seller charts.
He gained additional fame in his tours. Over a period of more than thirty years, he has traveled around the country, performing somewhere between 200 and 300 nights a year. Like many other musicians of his generation, he appeals to baby boomers as well as to the very young and the very old. Patrons at a variety of venues, from state fairs to college homecomings to an Atlantic City casino, have listened to his music and danced along with him.
In 2007, Chubby returned to the charts yet again with “Knock Down The Walls”, Billboards #1 dance track. This song introduced Chubby to a whole new audience with its powerful straight ahead rock tempo and captured Chubby’s continuous musical evolution. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio rewarded Chubby in July of 2008 with a special award presentation. An honored Chubby thrilled a fervent crowd by performing his hits, new and old, to the delight of everyone. A lengthy photo and autograph session followed, which highlighted Chubby’s favorite part, getting to interact with people.
As Chubby’s touring continued, 2009 took him abroad, including special shows in Germany (2010) as well as his annual appearances at Disneyworld. 2009 also marked the release of an updated version of “The Fly”. A younger generation now shook their hands as the dance reappeared in clubs.
What keeps this artist going? According to Chubby, “It’s the fans. The energy I get from singing and dancing with all these people over the years is unlike anything else I experience. I never want it to end.”
