Wayback Wednesday: Chubby Checker
August 1st, 1960 Chubby Checker’s version of The Twist was released. The song was written by Hank Ballard, who recorded it in November, 1958 and put it out as the…
American singer and dancer Chubby Checker arrives at London Airport for a 15-day tour of the UK, 31st August 1962. (Photo by Ted West/Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
August 1st, 1960 Chubby Checker’s version of The Twist was released. The song was written by Hank Ballard, who recorded it in November, 1958 and put it out as the “B” side to Teardrops On Your Letter, with the Midnighters.
Ballard’s version only reached #28 nationally in 1960. But when the 19 year old whose real name is Earnest Evans recorded his note-for-note cover version of The Twist, an instant dance craze was created!
Chubby’s version reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 on September 19, 1960. As the Twisting continued throughout the U.S. and around the world, it was re-released, and in January, 1962 spent another 2 weeks at #1…thus becoming the only song ever
to reach the top in 2 different chart runs! That’s a record that stands to this day. On Wayback Wednesday, here’s Dick Clark on American Bandstand, introducing Chubby and The Twist!
