South Philly Legend Chubby Checker Finally Gets Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Nod!

South Philly Legend Chubby Checker Finally Gets Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Nod!

After decades of fans twisting and shouting from Coast to Coast, South Philly’s own Chubby Checker is finally getting his long-overdue spot in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame!

The 82-year-old music icon, born Ernest Evans, shot to international stardom in 1960 with his smash hit “The Twist,” and now he’s officially part of rock history.

Let us remind you that he did perform that song and dance first here in the Wildwoods back in the 1960s.

Checker was voted in through the Hall’s Musical Influence Award, which recognizes artists who “shaped the sound of youth culture and changed the course of rock and roll.”

If you’re wondering why it took so long, you’re not alone. Despite being the man who literally invented a dance craze that never really left, Checker had been passed over again and again — even though “The Twist” is the only song to ever hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in two different runs (1960 and 1962).

Think about that — it’s never been done before or since meaning that the twist kept on twisting back (ok last bad joke)

Raised in South Philly’s projects near 9th and Dickinson., young Ernest made a name for himself early on with his knack for impressions.

Evans’ impressions soon caught the eye of American Bandstand host Dick Clark, whose wife, Barbara, was so taken by his Fats Domino imitation that she suggested the similarly styled stage name, Chubby Checker.

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Checker signed with Cameo-Parkway records and recorded his version of Hank Ballard and the Midnighters’ 1958 B-side, “The Twist.”

On August 6, 1960, Checker made his debut on American Bandstand, introducing the Twist dance move country-wide.

So why did Checker do the Twist first in Wildwood?

Wildwood’s vibrant music scene in the 1950s and 1960s, often referred to as the “Las Vegas of the East,” provided a fertile ground for emerging artists.

The city’s clubs, including the Rainbow Club, were instrumental in launching the careers of several musicians such as Frankie Avalon and Bobby Rydell. Though other acts would debut new music down here such as Bill Haley and His Comets who debuted “Rock Around the Clock” in Wildwood in 1954!

Despite the decades that have passed, Chubby Checker’s music continues to be a staple of American pop culture, with “The Twist” still being a dance party favorite. His legacy is undeniable, and it’s only right that he now joins the ranks of rock’s greats in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

The induction ceremony will be held at the Peacock Theater on November 8. Ticket details will be announced at a later time.

Continuing the tradition from previous years, the event will be streamed live on Disney+.

So here’s to Chubby Checker, the man who turned a simple dance move into a global phenomenon, and whose influence on music and culture can still be felt today. His induction is a well-deserved recognition of a career that has kept on twisting — just like his iconic song!

Congrats, Chubby! South Philly is twisting with pride today!