Despite not placing any record of his own* on the music industry’s ‘bible’ – the Billboard Hot 100 – since 1969, pop/rock’n’roll sensation Chubby Checker seems to still have a sense of humor; at least I hope that’s the case.
In the summer of 1960, Checker, (real name Ernest Evans) with his cover version of a song originally done by the R&B group Hank Ballard and the Midnighters called The Twist, single-handedly launched a worldwide dance craze – of course, known as “The Twist.”
In a recent interview with a Canadian media outlet, Checker (who named himself after New Orleans music icon Fats Domino) claims, among several things, that Detroit rock legend Bob Seger “hasn’t had a hit record since his mother was around.”
And that artists such as John Mellencamp and southern rock icons Lynyrd Skynyrd haven’t had any!
The interview was conducted prior to Checker’s appearance next week at Canada’s venerable national fall fair – The Canadian National Exhibition – to be held on a relatively small stage known as the ‘CNE Bandshell.’ (the larger main stage, the ‘Grandstand’, hosts performances by the bigger-name stars)
Checker’s supposed beef seems to be that, while the afore-mentioned non-hit makers regularly play to sold-out crowds in huge stadiums, his audiences top less than 2,000 – despite (Checker) having THE number one single from 1960 to present! (according to Billboard)
Whether he’s joking or not, Checker, 73, can legitimately lay claim to another feat of which he should be extremely proud – his cover version of The Twist is the only record on the Billboard Hot 100 to reach number one TWICE in non-consecutive years; first in September, 1960 for one week, and, upon re-release, for two weeks in January, 1962.
Label of the Original 1960 Release on Parkway Records
Label of the 1961 Re-release on Parkway Records
I’m certain all 2,000 of his faithful will be twistin’ their butts off in Toronto next week.
* [Note] In June of 1988, a version of The Twist by hip-hop group The Fat Boys (with Checker) called The Twist (Yo, Twist!) reached #16 on the BBHot100.
Rock on, Chubby!
Chubby Checker Interview
Source: Jam.Canoe.com
