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Chubby Checker | |
|---|---|
 Chubby Checker in 2005 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Ernest Evans (1941-10-03)October 3, 1941 (age 84) |
| Origin | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Genres | Rock and roll |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1960–present |
| Labels | |
Spouse | |
| Website | chubbychecker |
Ernest Evans (born October 3, 1941), known professionally asChubby Checker, is an Americanrock and roll singer and dancer. He is known for popularizing many dance styles, includingthe Twist, with his 1960 hit cover ofHank Ballard &The Midnighters' R&B song "The Twist", and thePony, with his 1961 cover of the song "Pony Time". His biggest UK hit, "Let's Twist Again", was released one year later (in 1962). That year, he also popularized the song "Limbo Rock", a previous-year instrumental hit bythe Champs to which he added lyrics and its trademarkLimbo dance. He also introduced other dance styles, such asthe Fly. In September 2008, "The Twist" toppedBillboard's list of the most popularsingles to have appeared in theHot 100 since its debut in 1960, an honor it maintained in an August 2013 update of the list.[1] In 2014, Checker was inducted into theNational Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame, and he was selected for induction into theRock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2025.[2]
Checker was born Ernest Evans inSpring Gully, South Carolina.[3] He was raised inthe projects ofSouth Philadelphia, where he lived with his parents, Raymond and Eartle Evans,[4] and two brothers.[5] By age eleven, Evans formed a street-corner harmony group. By the time he entered high school, Ernest had learned to play the piano a little atSettlement Music School. He entertained his classmates by performing vocal impressions of popular entertainers of the day, such asJerry Lee Lewis,Elvis Presley andFats Domino.[6] One of his classmates and friends atSouth Philadelphia High School was Fabian Forte, who would become a popular performer of the late 1950s and early 1960s asFabian.[5]
After school Evans would entertain customers at his various jobs, including Fresh Farm Poultry in theItalian Market on Ninth Street and at the Produce Market, with songs and jokes. It was his boss at the Produce Market, Anthony Tambone, who gave Evans the nickname "Chubby". The owner of Fresh Farm Poultry, Henry Colt, was so impressed by the boy's performances for the customers that he, along with his colleague and friend Kal Mann, who worked as a songwriter forCameo-Parkway Records,[7] arranged for young Chubby to do a private recording forAmerican Bandstand hostDick Clark. After hearing Chubby's Fats Domino impression, Clark's wife Barbara suggested that Chubby be called "ChubbyChecker" in homage to him.[8][9]
In December 1958, Checker privately recorded a novelty single for Clark in which the singer portrayed a school teacher with an unruly classroom of musical performers. The premise allowed Checker to imitate such acts asFats Domino,The Coasters,Elvis Presley,Cozy Cole, andThe Chipmunks, each singing "Mary Had a Little Lamb". Clark sent the song out as his Christmas greeting, and it received such good response that Cameo-Parkway signed Checker to a recording contract.[10] Titled "The Class", the single became Checker's first release, charting at No. 38 in the spring of 1959.[11]
Checker introduced his version of "The Twist" at the age of 18 in July 1960 inWildwood, New Jersey at the Rainbow Club. "The Twist" went on to top theBillboard Hot 100 not just once in 1960, but yet again in a separate chart run in late 1961. The first success was attributed to teens, and the unprecedented second number-one Billboard ranking was driven by older audiences following a spirited live performance[12] of the song by Checker onThe Ed Sullivan Show, seen by over 10 million viewers.[13] (Bing Crosby's "White Christmas" had also achieved number one twice onBillboard's earlier chart.)
"The Twist" had previously peaked at No. 16 on theBillboard rhythm and blues chart, in the 1959 version recorded by its author,Hank Ballard, whose band The Midnighters first performed the dance on stage. Checker's "Twist", however, was a nationwide smash, aided by his many appearances on Dick Clark'sAmerican Bandstand, the top 10American Bandstand ranking of the song, and the teenagers on the show who enjoyed dancing the Twist. The song was so ubiquitous that Checker felt that his critics thought he could only succeed as a dance demonstrator. Checker later lamented: ""The Twist" really ruined my life. I was on my way to becoming a big nightclub performer, and "The Twist" just wiped it out ... It got so out of proportion. No one ever believes I have talent."[14] By 1965 alone, "The Twist" had sold over 15 million copies, and was awarded multiplegold discs by theRIAA.[15]
Despite Checker's initial disapproval, he found follow-up success with a succession of up-tempo dance tracks, including "The Hucklebuck" (No. 14), "The Fly" (No. 7), "Dance the Mess Around" (No. 24), and "Pony Time", which became his second No. 1 single.[11] Checker's follow-up "twist" single, "Let's Twist Again", won the 1962Grammy Award for Best Rock and Roll Recording.[16] A 1962 duet withDee Dee Sharp, "Slow Twistin'", reached No. 3 on the national charts. Other substantial hits included "Dancin' Party", "Popeye the Hitchhiker", "Twenty Miles", "Birdland", "Loddy Lo", and a Christmas duet withBobby Rydell, "Jingle Bell Rock". "Limbo Rock" reached No. 2 on 22–29 December 1962, becoming Checker's last top ten hit. Checker continued to have top 40 singles until 1965, his last being "Let's Do the Freddie" (No. 40), a variation onFreddie and the Dreamers' dance tune "Do the Freddie", with new melody and lyrics. Changes in public tastes, owing mostly to theBritish Invasion andcounterculture era, ended his hit-making career. He spent much of the rest of the 1960s touring and recording in Europe.
"The Twist" was recorded forCameo-Parkway Records and along with the label's other material, became unavailable after the early 1970s because of the company's internal legal disputes. For decades, almost all compilations of Checker's hits consisted of re-recordings. The 1970s saw a shift and resurgence for his career, including a temporary stint as adisco artist. Checker continued to be a superstar in Europe with television and records.[citation needed] A dance-floor cover version ofthe Beatles' "Back in the U.S.S.R." released in 1969 onBuddah Records, his first chart entry in three years, reached No. 82.[17] It was Checker's last chart appearance until 1982 when he hit No. 91 with "Running".[11]
In 1971, Checker at his own insistence recorded apsychedelic album filled with music he felt was "current" that was initially only released in Europe. Originally namedChequered!, it was renamed over the years in subsequent re-releases asNew Revelation,The Other Side Of Chubby Checker, and sometimes asChubby Checker. The songs were all written by Checker and produced by formerJimi Hendrix producerEd Chalpin,[18] but the studio musicians' names are unknown. The album flopped.[19]Later in the decade, he recorded an album of "audiophile re-creations" of his greatest hits, for producer Stan Shulman.
In 1988, Chubby teamed up with hip-hop trioThe Fat Boys with their version ofThe Twist (Yo, Twist): this reached No 2 in the UK.
Checker had a single at No. 1 onBillboard's dancechart in July 2008 with "Knock Down the Walls". The single also made the top 30 on the Adult Contemporary chart.[11]Roger Filgate ofWishbone Ash is featured on lead guitar.[20]
In 2009, Checker recorded apublic service announcement (PSA) for theSocial Security Administration to help launch a new campaign to promote recent changes inMedicare law.[21] In the PSA, Checker encourages Americans on Medicare to apply for Extra Help, "A new 'twist' in the law makes it easier than ever to save on your prescription drug plan costs."[22][23]
On February 25, 2013, Checker released a new single, the ballad "Changes," viaiTunes; it was posted on YouTube and amassed over 160,000 views.[24] "Changes" was produced by the hill & hifi and reached 43 on theMediabase Top 100 AC Chart and 41 on the Gospel Chart. Checker performed it on July 5, 2013, onNBC'sToday show.[25] In 2015, Checker joined forces with Howard Perl Entertainment[26] to produce live events, such as "Rock and Roll to The Rescue",[27] a tour designed to raise funds for rescue animals in need nationwide.
In 2025, Checker was selected for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame; He had been eligible for induction since the Hall's first class in 1986.[28]
In 2002, Checker protested outside of theRock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, over the lack of radio airplay of his hit "The Twist" and his perception that the Hall of Fame had snubbed him.Seymour Stein, president of theRock Hall's New York chapter and member of the nomination committee, claimed "I think that Chubby is someone who will be considered. He has in certain years."[29]
In 2013, Checker suedHP over aWebOS application using his name. The application, before being pulled in September 2012, was used to unscientifically estimate penis size from shoe size.[30][31][32][33] The district court said that Checker's trademark claim survived HP's motion to dismiss, but his other claims were dismissed perSection 230 of theCommunications Decency Act.[34]
Checker performed as well as appeared as a version of himself inTwist Around the Clock (1961) andDon't Knock the Twist (1962). In both films he provided advice and crucial breaks for the protagonist.[35][36]
In 1988, Checker appeared as himself performing alongside the Purple People Eater in thefilm of the same name.[37]
Checker later appeared as himself in the 1989Quantum Leap episode entitled "Good Morning, Peoria" where he walks into a radio station in 1959 hoping to have his demo record played on the air. The show's main character, Dr.Sam Beckett (Scott Bakula), persuades the station owner to play the song "The Twist", inadvertently teaching Checker himself how to do The Twist.[38]
In 2001, Checker again guest-starred as himself singing "The Twist" in thefourth season ofAlly McBeal.[39] He also performed the track in thetenth season ofMurphy Brown.[40]
In 2008, Checker's "The Twist" was named the biggest chart hit of all time byBillboard magazine.Billboard looked at all singles that made the charts between 1958 and 2008. He was also honored bySettlement Music School as part of the school's centennial celebration and named to the Settlement 100, a list of notable people connected to the school.[41]
In 2014, Checker was inducted into theNational Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame.
In 2025, Checker was inducted into theRock and Roll Hall of Fame.[42]
On December 12, 1963, Checker proposed toCatharina Lodders, a 21-year-oldDutch model andMiss World 1962 fromHaarlem.[43] Checker said he met Lodders inManila the prior January.[44] The song "Loddy Lo" is about her. They were married on April 12, 1964, at Temple Lutheran Church inPennsauken, New Jersey.[45] Their first child, Bianca Johanna Evans, was born in a Philadelphia hospital on December 8, 1966.[46] Their other two children are Ilka Evans and musician Shan Egan (Evans), lead singer of Funk Church, a band in the Philadelphia area.[47] Checker is also the father ofWNBA playerMistie Bass.[48]
| Year | Album | Peak chart positions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [49][50] | UK [51] | |||||
| 1960 | Twist with Chubby Checker | 3 | 13 | |||
| For Twisters Only | 8 | 17 | ||||
| Bobby Rydell/Chubby Checker (withBobby Rydell) | 7 | — | ||||
| 1961 | Let's Twist Again | 11 | — | |||
| It's Pony Time | 110 | — | ||||
| For 'Teen Twisters Only | 17 | — | ||||
| 1962 | Don't Knock The Twist | — | — | |||
| Limbo Party | 11 | — | ||||
| Beach Party | 90 | — | ||||
| Twistin' Round the World | 54 | — | ||||
| Down To Earth (With Dee Dee Sharp) | 117 | — | ||||
| 1963 | Let's Limbo Some More | 87 | — | |||
| Chubby Checker in Person | 104 | — | ||||
| With Sy Oliver | — | — | ||||
| 1964 | Chubby's Folk Album | 93 | — | |||
| 1971 | Chequered! | — | — | |||
| 1982 | The Change Has Come | 186 | — | |||
| 1994 | The Texas Twisting | — | — | |||
| 2000 | Towards The Light | — | — | |||
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart. | ||||||
| Year | Album | US [49] |
|---|---|---|
| 1961 | Your Twist Party (With The King Of Twist) | 2 |
| 1962 | All the Hits (For Your Dancin' Party) | 23 |
| 1963 | Chubby Checker's Biggest Hits | 27 |
| 1973 | Chubby Checker's Greatest Hits | 152 |
| Year | Titles (A-side, B-side) Both sides from same album except where indicated | Chart positions | Album | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [49] | US R&B [49] | Canada [52][53] | UK [51] | AUS [54] | |||
| 1959 | "The Class" b/w "Schooldays, Oh, Schooldays" (Non-album track) | 38 | — | — | — | — | Greatest Hits – 15 Original Hits |
| "Whole Lotta Laughin'" b/w "Samson and Delilah" | — | — | — | — | — | Non-album tracks | |
| "Dancing Dinosaur" b/w "Those Private Eyes" | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1960 | "The Twist" b/w "Toot" (fromThe Chubby Checker Discotheque) | 1 | 2 | 2 | 44 | 20 | Twist with Chubby Checker |
| "The Hucklebuck" / | 14 | 15 | 2 | — | — | ||
| "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" | 42 | — | 2 | — | — | For Twisters Only | |
| 1961 | "Pony Time" b/w "Oh, Susannah" (Non-album track) | 1 | 1 | 5 | 27 | 8 | It's Pony Time |
| "Dance the Mess Around" / | 24 | — | 16 | — | 48 | Chubby Checker's Biggest Hits | |
| "Good, Good Lovin'" | 43 | — | 16 | — | — | ||
| "Let's Twist Again" b/w "Everything's Gonna Be All Right" (fromChubby Checker) | 8 | 26 | 2 | 2 | 7 | Let's Twist Again | |
| "The Fly" b/w "That's the Way It Goes" (Non-album track) | 7 | 11 | 5 | — | 35 | For 'Teen Twisters Only | |
| "Jingle Bell Rock" b/w "Jingle Bell Rock Imitations" Both sides withBobby Rydell | 21/115 | — | — | 40 | — | Bobby Rydell/Chubby Checker | |
| 1962 | "The Twist" / Chart re-entry; the only song of the rock era to reach No. 1 twice in the US in two different years | 1 | 4 | 1 | 14 | 3 | Twist with Chubby Checker |
| "Twistin' U.S.A." | 68 | — | — | — | 41 | ||
| "Slow Twistin'" (WithDee Dee Sharp) / | 3 | 3 | 18 | 23 | 9 | For 'Teen Twisters Only | |
| "La Paloma Twist" | 72 | — | — | — | Twistin' Round the World | ||
| "Teach Me to Twist" b/w "Swingin' Together" Both sides with Bobby Rydell | — | — | — | 45 | — | Bobby Rydell/Chubby Checker | |
| "Dancin' Party" b/w "Gotta Get Myself Together" (Non-album track) | 12 | — | 19 | 19 | 85 | Chubby Checker's Biggest Hits | |
| "Limbo Rock" / | 2 | 3 | 7 | 32 | 8 | Limbo Party | |
| "Popeye the Hitchhiker" | 10 | 13 | 7 | — | All the Hits (For Your Dancin' Party) | ||
| "Jingle Bell Rock" b/w "Jingle Bell Imitations" Chart re-entry, both sides with Bobby Rydell | 92 | — | — | 40 | — | Bobby Rydell/Chubby Checker | |
| 1963 | "Let's Limbo Some More" / | 20 | 16 | 16 | — | 11 | Let's Limbo Some More |
| "Twenty Miles" | 15 | 15 | 13 | — | |||
| "Birdland" / | 12 | 18 | 14 | — | 33 | Beach Party | |
| "Black Cloud" | 98 | — | 14 | — | Non-album track | ||
| "Twist It Up" / | 25 | — | 21 | — | — | Beach Party | |
| "Surf Party" | 55 | — | 21 | — | — | ||
| "What Do Ya Say!" b/w "Something to Shout About" Released in UK only | — | — | — | 37 | 25 | Non-album tracks | |
| "Loddy Lo" / | 12 | 4 | 5 | — | 17 | Chubby's Folk Album | |
| "Hooka Tooka" | 17 | — | 13 | — | |||
| 1964 | "Hey, Bobba Needle" b/w "Spread Joy" (Non-album track)[nb 1] | 23 | — | 16 | — | 26 | |
| "Rosie" / | 116 | — | 22 | — | 50 | Non-album track | |
| "Lazy Elsie Molly" | 40 | — | 17 | — | 18 Golden Hits | ||
| "She Wants T'Swim" b/w "You Better Believe It Baby" (Non-album track) | 50 | — | — | — | 98 | The Chubby Checker Discotheque | |
| "Lovely, Lovely (Loverly, Loverly) b/w "The Weekend's Here" | 70 | — | — | — | — | Non-album tracks | |
| 1965 | "Let's Do the Freddie" b/w "(At the) Discotheque" (Non-album track) | 40 | — | 15 | — | — | 18 Golden Hits |
| "Everything's Wrong" b/w "Cu Ma La Be-Stay" | — | — | — | — | — | Non-album tracks | |
| "You Just Don't Know (What You Do To Me) b/w "Two Hearts Make One Love" | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1966 | "Hey You! Little Boo-Ga-Loo" b/w "Pussy Cat" | 76 | — | 63 | — | — | |
| "Looking at Tomorrow" b/w "You Got the Power" | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| "Karate Monkey" b/w "Her Heart" | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1969 | "Back In The U.S.S.R" b/w "Windy Cream" | 82 | — | 86 | — | — | |
| 1973 | "Reggae My Way" b/w "Gypsy" | — | — | — | — | 64 | |
| 1974 | "She's a Bad Woman" b/w "Happiness Is a Girl Like You" | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 1975 | "Let's Twist Again" / "The Twist" Double A-side chart re-entry in UK | — | — | — | 5 | — | A:Let's Twist Again B:Twist with Chubby Checker |
| 1976 | "The Rub" b/w "Move It" | — | — | — | — | — | Non-album tracks |
| 1980 | "Don't Put Me On Hold" b/w "The Way That You Touch Me" | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 1982 | "Running" b/w "Is Tonight the Night" (Non-album track) | 91 | — | — | — | — | The Change Has Come |
| "Harder Than Diamond" b/w "Your Love" | 104 | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1986 | "Read You Like A Book" b/w "Read You Like A Book" | — | — | — | — | — | Non-album tracks |
| 1988 | "The Twist" ("Yo, Twist!" version) b/w "The Twist" (Buffapella) Both sides with theFat Boys | 16 | 40 | 12 | 2 | — | |
| 2008 | "Knock Down the Walls" No. 1 US Dance, No. 26 US AC | — | 110 | — | — | — | All the Best – Knock Down the Walls Featuring eight different mixes |
| 2013 | "Changes" (Pop version) c/w "Changes" (Alt version) CD single | — | — | — | — | — | Non-album tracks |
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart. | |||||||
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