The name Chubby Checker is inextricably linked with the twist. After all, it was this musician who became the popularizer of the presented musical genre. The musician's calling card is a cover version of The Twist by Hank Ballard.
To understand that the work of Chubby Checker is closer than it might seem, it is enough to recall one interesting fact. In Leonid Gaidai's legendary film "Prisoner of the Caucasus" Morgunov (in the guise of Experienced) teaches the audience how to dance the trendy twist dance. The legendary movements that the artist showed the audience by extinguishing cigarette butts with his feet were invented by Chubby Checker.
The twist is a dance performed by a rock and roll group. It appeared in the 1960s thanks to the American singer Chubby Checker, who performed the composition The Twist X. Ballard. The artist proposed a new version of the dance to the presented composition. The twist was made popular by Chubby Checker's performances on The Dick Clark Show. The dance does not have any strict restrictions. During the twist, partners freely stand opposite each other. The dance is performed in 4/4 beats with a hard rhythm and fast tempo.
Childhood and youth Chubby Checker
Ernest Evans (real name of a celebrity) was born on October 3, 1941 in Spring Hallstatt (South Carolina). He spent his conscious childhood in South Philadelphia. He has two brothers.
In one of his interviews, the artist shared with reporters information that his mother had psychic abilities. When the woman was pregnant with Ernest, she had a prophetic dream that the United States of America would get involved in the war. A few months after the boy was born, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor.
A little later, Ernest Evans' mother also said that when he grows up, he will definitely perform on stage and become famous. These words also came true.
As a young schoolboy, Ernest created his own musical group. He also took piano lessons during this period of time. He also pleased his relatives with cover versions of popular hits by Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis.
The creative path of Chubby Checker
The formation of Ernest as an artist happened unexpectedly for the guy himself. Interestingly, the plot of the amazing transformation of an ordinary guy into a world-class star was reminiscent of the Cinderella fairy tale. Only in the role of a magical fairy was the director of the grocery store in which the young talent worked. The store owner drew attention to the guy's vocal abilities and brought him together with his friend, who worked in a recording studio.
Soon, Ernest took on a creative pseudonym, which today is known to millions of people around the planet. The guy took the creative name by analogy with Fats Domino, whose compositions he also often sang. The word Chubby means "chubby" and Checker is one of the checkers games.
Despite the excellent vocal abilities and charisma of the artist, his debut single The Class was not remembered by music lovers. Real popularity hit the singer after performing a cover version of the Hank Ballard track The Twist. The track took a leading position in the rating charts. Pony Time and Let's Twist Again became the undisputed hits of the performer.
Surprisingly, at the peak of his popularity, Chubby did not add albums to his discography. The producers, at their discretion, completed records from his hits and compositions of other rock and roll stars.
Presentation of the psychedelic album Checkered!
In the early 1970s, Chubby Checker's discography ushered in a debut psychedelic album. The record was called Checkered! ("Checkered"). From a commercial point of view, the LP was a "failure".
Chubby Checker collaborated with other stars very often. For example, a celebrity, along with Bobby Rydell, released the song Jingle Bell Rock. A funny video was recorded for the track. And the song Slow Twistin, created in a duet with singer Dee Dee Sharp, took the honorable 3rd position in the US chart.
In the late 1980s of the XX century, the musician recorded an updated version of The Twist with the rap group The Fat Boys. And in 2013, Checker presented the original ballad Changes.
Chubby Checker's personal life
In 1964, Chubby Checker married Katarina Lodders. The woman became the winner of Miss World 1962. The beauty has become a real muse and inspiration for the musician. He dedicated the legendary composition Loddy Lo to Katarina. In December 1964, the couple's first daughter, Bianca Johanna Evans, was born.
Chubby Checker cannot be called a decent family man. He cheated on his wife. Nevertheless, Katharina stayed with her husband and forgave his weakness. The man has several illegitimate children. One of the celebrity daughters is basketball player Misty McCray Bass.
In 2015, the performer and his wife came to the 100th birthday of pastor George Garver. The couple wanted to personally congratulate the brave priest who took the risk of legitimizing their interracial marriage. This act cost Chubby and his wife dearly. The racists began to persecute them.
Interesting facts about Chubby Checker
- Chubby Checker has appeared in more than 20 films. The list of the most popular films with the participation of the artist includes: "Purple Eater", "Twist around the clock", "Actor".
- In 2014, Chubby Checker urged him to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The artist argued his request by the fact that he wants recognition right now, and not after death.
- In the early 1990s, Nabisco (an American maker of cookies and snacks) revealed that Checker was making Oreo cookies, leading to one of the company's most successful advertising campaigns ever.
- Checker performed on the streets of Philadelphia before signing with the Cameo Parkway label.
Chubby Checker today
To date, the performer receives dividends of past glory. On the official website of Chubby Checker, fans of his work can purchase his autographed photographs, sweets and jerky snacks of his name.
Chubby Checker appeared less and less on stage. The artist says that age does not allow music lovers to please their compositions. The artist's retreat is also facilitated by COVID-19.
In 2020, the artist posted a post on several social networks at once. In the photo, Chubby Checker was sitting in a medical mask. In his post, the musician urged to take the problem of the coronavirus pandemic seriously, follow all the rules and try not to leave the house without unnecessary need.
Tragedy for Chubby Checker was the death of a colleague in the music workshop Little Richard. On the YouTube video hosting, some of Richard's clips are based on mixes of his tracks with Chubby songs.
