Chubby Checker, born Ernest Evans on October 3, 1941, in Spring Gulley, South Carolina, is an iconic figure in the world of rock and roll, best known for popularizing the twist dance phenomenon with his 1960 hit cover of "The Twist." Checker's stage name was a playful homage to Fats Domino, riffing on the notion of "checkers" being the counterpart to "dominoes." His career took off when Dick Clark's wife, impressed by Checker's impersonation of Fats Domino, recommended him for a project that would soon change the face of pop music.

Chubby's rendition of "The Twist" skyrocketed to the top of the Billboard Hot 100, not just once, but twice—first upon its release and then again in 1962, marking the only single in history to achieve such a feat. He became synonymous with the Twist craze that enveloped the nation, leading to a series of twist-related songs including "Let's Twist Again," "Twistin' USA," and "Slow Twistin'." Throughout the 1960s, Checker continued releasing music, which included a variety of styles as seen in albums such as "Twistin' at the '60s Dance Hall," reflecting his embodiment of the era's dance hall culture, and "1960s Calypso Party," which showcased his versatility in genre experimentation. Despite the changing tides of the music industry, he has remained a beloved figure in music, with his signature style and engaging tunes ensuring his place in the pantheon of rock and roll legends.

Genres

Rock-and-roll

Rockabilly

Related Artists

Little Richard

Fats Domino

Jerry Lee Lewis

Chuck Berry

Buddy Holly

Elvis Presley

Sam Cooke

Ray Charles

Bo Diddley

The Everly Brothers

Bill Haley & His Comets

The Temptations

Latest Release

Folk Hootenanny

Chubby Checker

Ep - 6 Tracks - Released June 30, 2023