389 Chubby Checker (1941- ) “The Twist” 1960

“’The Twist’ had originally been recorded by the Detroit rhythm-and-blues singer Hank Ballard, but had been released with little success. Clark’s wife re-christened Evans ‘Chubby Checker,’ deriving the name from that of Fats Domino and alluding to Checker’s own portly build and, in October of 1960, Checker appeared in American Bandstand. Although his recording of ‘The Twist’ was almost a note-for-note replica of Ballard’s, it was Checker’s version that topped the charts nationwide” (Contemporary Black Biography, 2001). Listed on the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress.

Chubby Checker “The Twist”