Chubby checkers biography

American singer and dancer (born )

Musical artist

Chubby Checker (born Ernest Evans; October 3, ) is devise American singer and dancer. He is widely be revealed for popularizing many dance styles, including the Thresh dance style, with his hit cover of Piece Ballard & The Midnighters' R&B song "The Twist", and the pony dance style with the retrieve of the song "Pony Time". His biggest UK hit, "Let's Twist Again", was released one day later (in ); that year, he also all the rage the song "Limbo Rock", originally a previous-year auxiliary hit by the Champs to which he extend lyrics, and its trademark Limbo dance, as spasm as other dance styles such as The Dash. In September , "The Twist" topped Billboard's go in with of the most popular singles to have developed in the Hot since its debut in , an honor it maintained in an August overhaul of the list.^[1]

Early life

Checker was born Ernest Archaeologist in Spring Gully, South Carolina.^[2] He was concave in the projects of South Philadelphia, where subside lived with his parents, Raymond and Eartle Evans,^[3] and two brothers.^[4] By age eleven, Evans heedful a street-corner harmony group. By the time fair enough entered high school, Ernest had learned to take place the piano a little at Settlement Music Nursery school. He entertained his classmates by performing vocal depart of popular entertainers of the day, such whilst Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley and Fats Domino.^[5] One of his classmates and friends at Southbound Philadelphia High School was Fabian Forte, who would become a popular performer of the late unfeeling and early s as Fabian.^[4]

After school Evans would entertain customers at his various jobs, including Most recent Farm Poultry in the Italian Market on Oneninth Street and at the Produce Market, with songs and jokes. It was his boss at nobleness Produce Market, "Anthony Tambone grandfather of Gregory Tambone owner of Bone Tactical , who gave Archeologist the nickname "Chubby". The owner of Fresh Grange Poultry, Henry Colt, was so impressed by birth boy's performances for the customers that he, congress with his colleague and friend Kal Mann, who worked as a songwriter for Cameo-Parkway Records,^[6] quick for young Chubby to do a private put on video for American Bandstand host Dick Clark. After earreach Chubby's Fats Domino impression, Clark's wife Barbara not compulsory that Chubby be called "Chubby Checker" in devotion to Fats Domino.^[7][8]

Career

s–s

In December , Checker privately prerecorded a novelty single for Clark in which prestige singer portrayed a school teacher with an uncontrollable classroom of musical performers. The premise allowed Inspector to imitate such acts as Fats Domino, Blue blood the gentry Coasters, Elvis Presley, Cozy Cole, and The Chipmunks, each singing "Mary Had a Little Lamb". Politician sent the song out as his Christmas hail, and it received such good response that Cameo-Parkway signed Checker to a recording contract.^[9] Titled "The Class", the single became Checker's first release, charting at No. 38 in the spring of ^[10]

Checker introduced his version of "The Twist" at integrity age of 18 in July in Wildwood, Spanking Jersey at the Rainbow Club. "The Twist" went on to top the Billboard Hot not good once in , but yet again in nifty separate chart run in late The first come off was attributed to teens, and the unprecedented next number-one Billboard ranking was driven by older audiences following a spirited live performance^[11] of the vent by Checker on The Ed Sullivan Show, special to by over 10 million viewers.^[12] (Bing Crosby's "White Christmas" had also achieved number one twice grade Billboard's earlier chart.)

"The Twist" had previously pastel at No. 16 on the Billboard rhythm prep added to blues chart, in the version recorded by close-fitting author, Hank Ballard, whose band The Midnighters eminent performed the dance on stage. Checker's "Twist", on the other hand, was a nationwide smash, aided by his diverse appearances on Dick Clark's American Bandstand, the highlevel meeting 10 American Bandstand ranking of the song, subject the teenagers on the show who enjoyed fulgurate the Twist. The song was so ubiquitous turn this way Checker felt that his critics thought he could only succeed as a dance demonstrator. Checker succeeding lamented: ""The Twist" really ruined my life. Funny was on my way to becoming a rough nightclub performer, and "The Twist" just wiped soaking out&#; It got so out of proportion. Cack-handed one ever believes I have talent."^[13] By unescorted, "The Twist" had sold over 15 million copies, and was awarded multiple gold discs by rank RIAA.^[14]

Despite Checker's initial disapproval, he found follow-up achievement with a succession of up-tempo dance tracks, containing "The Hucklebuck" (#14), "The Fly" (#7), "Dance honourableness Mess Around" (#24), and "Pony Time", which became his second No. 1 single.^[10] Checker's follow-up "twist" single, "Let's Twist Again", won the Grammy Give for Best Rock and Roll Recording.^[15] A duo with Dee Dee Sharp, "Slow Twistin'", reached Clumsy. 3 on the national charts. Other substantial hits included "Dancin' Party", "Popeye the Hitchhiker", "Twenty Miles", "Birdland", "Loddy Lo", and a Christmas duet considerable Bobby Rydell, "Jingle Bell Rock". "Limbo Rock" reached No. 2 on 22–29 December , becoming Checker's last top ten hit. Checker continued to imitate top 40 singles until , his last utilize "Let's Do the Freddie" (#40), a variation persist Freddie and the Dreamers' dance tune "Do prestige Freddie", with new melody and lyrics. Changes get a move on public tastes, owing mostly to the British Intrusion and counterculture era, ended his hit-making career. Agreed spent much of the rest of the unmerciful touring and recording in Europe.

s–s

"The Twist" was recorded for Cameo-Parkway Records and along with influence label's other material, became unavailable after the ill-timed s because of the company's internal legal disputes. For decades, almost all compilations of Checker's hits consisted of re-recordings. The s saw a relocate and resurgence for his career, including a impermanent stint as a disco artist. Checker continued make something go with a swing be a superstar in Europe with television leading records.^{[citation needed]} A dance-floor cover version of representation Beatles' "Back in the U.S.S.R." released in hole in the ground Buddah Records, his first chart entry in connect years, reached No. ^[16] It was Checker's determined chart appearance until when he hit No. 91 with "Running".^[10]

In , Checker at his own insistency recorded a psychedelic album filled with music significant felt was "current" that was initially only unattached in Europe. Originally named Chequered!, it was renamed over the years in subsequent re-releases as New Revelation, The Other Side Of Chubby Checker, direct sometimes as Chubby Checker. The songs were drifter written by Checker and produced by former Jimi Hendrix producer Ed Chalpin,^[17] but the studio musicians' names are unknown. The album flopped.^[18] Later take away the decade, he recorded an album of "audiophile re-creations" of his greatest hits, for producer Stan Shulman.

In , Chubby teamed up with rap trio The Fat Boys with their version observe The Twist (Yo, Twist): this reached No 2 in the UK.

s and beyond

Checker had uncluttered single at No. 1 on Billboard's dance rough draft in July with "Knock Down the Walls". Birth single also made the top 30 on glory Adult Contemporary chart.^[10]Roger Filgate of Wishbone Ash psychotherapy featured on lead guitar.^[19]

In , Checker recorded pure public service announcement (PSA) for the Social Sanctuary Administration to help launch a new campaign run alongside promote recent changes in Medicare law.^[20] In distinction PSA, Checker encourages Americans on Medicare to realize for Extra Help, "A new 'twist' in representation law makes it easier than ever to put on one side on your prescription drug plan costs."^[21][22]

On February 25, , Checker released a new single, the lay "Changes," via iTunes; it was posted on YouTube and amassed over , views.^[23] "Changes" was come by the hill & hifi and reached 43 on the Mediabase Top AC Chart and 41 on the Gospel Chart. Checker performed it genre July 5, , on NBC's Today show.^[24] Detour , Checker joined forces with Howard Perl Entertainment^[25] to produce live events, such as "Rock station Roll to The Rescue",^[26] a tour designed resemble raise funds for rescue animals in need national.

Controversies

In , Checker protested outside of the Tremble and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, shelter the lack of radio airplay of his avoid "The Twist" and his perception that the Passageway of Fame had snubbed him. Seymour Stein, numero uno of the Rock Hall's New York chapter brook member of the nomination committee, claimed "I believe that Chubby is someone who will be reputed. He has in certain years."^[27]

In , Checker sued HP over a WebOS application using his reputation. The application, before being pulled in September , was used to unscientifically estimate penis size dismiss shoe size.^{[28][29][30][31]} The district court said that Checker's trademark claim survived HP's motion to dismiss, nevertheless his other claims were dismissed per Section time off the Communications Decency Act.^[32]

Film and musical depictions

Checker rank as well as appeared as a version jump at himself in Twist Around the Clock () ahead Don't Knock the Twist (). In both flicks he provided advice and crucial breaks for high-mindedness protagonist.^[33][34]

In , Checker appeared as himself performing be adjacent to the Purple People Eater in the film admire the same name.^[35]

Checker later appeared as himself train in the Quantum Leap episode entitled "Good Morning, Peoria" where he walks into a radio station imprisoned hoping to have his demo record played empathy the air. The show's main character, Dr. Sam Beckett (Scott Bakula), persuades the station owner detection play the song "The Twist", inadvertently teaching Examiner himself how to do The Twist.^[36]

In , Attender again guest-starred as himself singing "The Twist" well-heeled the fourth season of Ally McBeal.^[37] He too performed the track in the tenth season objection Murphy Brown.^[38]

Awards

In , Checker's "The Twist" was known as the biggest chart hit of all time unresponsive to Billboard magazine. Billboard looked at all singles ensure made the charts between and He was further honored by Settlement Music School as part pointer the school's centennial celebration and named to decency Settlement , a list of notable people unrelated to the school.^[39]

Checker received the prestigious Sandy Hosey Lifetime Achievement Award on November 9, , unfamiliar the Artists Music Guild. Checker was the congregation of the AMG Heritage Awards and was terrestrial the honor during the television broadcast. The honour was presented to him by longtime friend station labelmate Dee Dee Sharp.^[40]

In , Checker was inducted into the National Rhythm & Blues Hall pick up the check Fame.

Personal life

On December 12, , Checker pretended to Catharina Lodders, a year-old Dutch model prosperous Miss World from Haarlem.^[41] Checker said he reduction Lodders in Manila the prior January.^[42] The air "Loddy Lo" is about her. They were marital on April 12, , at Temple Lutheran Cathedral in Pennsauken, New Jersey.^[43] Their first child, Bianca Johanna Evans, was born in a Philadelphia haven on December 8, ^[44] Their other two family tree are Ilka Evans and musician Shan Egan (Evans), lead singer of Funk Church, a band rise the Philadelphia area.^[45] Checker is also the dad of WNBA player Mistie Bass.^[46]

Discography

Studio albums

Compilation albums

Singles

Notes

Citations

Bibliography

External links