2025 of Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class includes Chubby Checker
Category: Entertainment
Via: john-russell • 23 hours ago • 7 commentsBy: Michaela Althouse (PhillyVoice)
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
April 28, 2025
'The Twist' singer Chubby Checker to be inducted into Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
The Queen Village native's hit - and dance move - swept the nation in 1960, fueled in part by his appearances on Dick Clark's 'American Bandstand.'
By Michaela Althouse
PhillyVoice Staff MusicRock and Roll Hall of Fame Ron Elkman/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Singer Chubby Checker, above at the Isle Casino in 2017, is among 13 artists named to the 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's 20205 induction class. It also includes Thom Bell, a producer who helped craft The Sound of Philadelphia, a style of soul music.
Chubby Checker, the South Philadelphia singer known for "The Twist," and Thom Bell, a songwriter and producer who helped create The Sound of Philadelphia genre, are included in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's 2025 class.
The 13-member class, which also includes Outkast, the White Stripes and Salt-N-Pepa, was revealed Sunday night on "American Idol."
Checker, 83, whose real name is Ernest Evans, was born in South Carolina but spent most of his childhood in Philadelphia, growing up at Fifth and Christian streets in Queen Village. His stage name combines his teenage nickname, "Chubby," which was given to him by the owner of the Ninth Street produce market where he worked, with "Checker," an homage to Fats Domino. As a teen, Checker was known for his impressions of the rock 'n' roll pioneer.
Checker's first single, "The Class," caught the attention of "American Bandstand" host Dick Clark while he was still a student at South Philadelphia High School. But it was his cover of "The Twist," a 1958 song by Hank Ballard & the Midnighters, that became a sensation.
Checker recorded the hit as he neared graduation in 1960. That summer, he performed "The Twist" on "American Bandstand" for the first time. The song - and Checker's dance move - quickly swept the nation. The song hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 later that year, and again topped the chart in 1961.
He scored another chart-topper with "Pony Time," also in 1961. He had 32 songs make the Billboard Hot 100, including "Let's Twist Again," "Limbo Rock" and "Slow Twistin.'"
In 2001, the Settlement Music School alum took out an ad in Billboard calling on the Rock & Roll Hall of fame to recognize him for his influence.
"I want my flowers while I'm alive," he famously wrote. "I can't smell them when I'm dead."
Bell, who died in 2022 at age 79, was born in Kingston, Jamaica, but moved to Philadelphia when he was 4. He was a member of the "Mighty Three" with Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. Their production company crafted The Sound of Philadelphia, a style of soul music that combined funk with string and horn arrangements.
Bell had his hand in hits like "Brand New Me" by Dustry Springfield, "Me & Mrs. Jones" by Billy Paul, "Back Stabbers" by the O'Jays, "I'll Be Around" by the Spinners and "La-La (Means I Love You)" by the Delfonics. He produced albums for likes of Elton John and Dionne Warwick. In 1974, he won the Grammy Award for producer of the year.
The rest of the 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class includes Bad Company, Joe Cocker, Cyndi Lauper, Soundgarden, Warren Zevon, Nicky Hopkins, Carol Kaye and Lenny Waronker. To be eligible, artists must have released their first commercial recording at least 25 years ago.
"Each of these inductees created their own sound and attitude that had a profound impact on culture and helped to change the course of Rock & Roll forever," John Sykes, chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, said in a statement. "Their music gave a voice to generations and influenced countless artists that followed in their footsteps."
This year's induction ceremony takes place Nov. 8 and be available to stream live on Disney+.
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I have no opinion one way or the other on Chubby Checkers music. But him having to wait 39 years to get in (he was first eligible in 1986) borders on criminal.
"The Twist" has been on the list of the most popular recordings of all time on various surveys across decades. If having the biggest hit ever doesnt make you worthy of "fame" what would?
The Twist - Chubby Checker
I'll never forget the older generation's reaction to that.
Little did they know what was coming.
That was so much fun. All I could do is sit and watch it (too tired this evening), but boy that 'felt' good. I heard the song back in the day and am sure I danced to it as a child. However, I have never seen some of the footage. That was so cool! I always enjoy looking back at footage of people mixing together in the fifties and sixties--just being themselves (without guile or envy). So lovely! So easy on the mind! And dare I say it: White people y'all can dance up a storm when you want to do it!
It's about time!!!
no shit. the R&R HoF could also stand to lose a few of the posers they've inducted. kid rock? seriously? more like kid suck ...
Who would think of any reason to put that jerk in the R&R HoF?
.... someone with zero appreciation of the genre?