Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

CHECKER, Chubby

(b Ernest Evans, 3 Oct. '41, Philadelphia PA) rock'n'roll singer. Former chicken-plucker signed to Cameo-Parkway, new name (after Fats Domino) at suggestion of Dick Clark's wife; of first four releases 'The Class' made top 40 '59; then Hank Ballard failed to show up for recording session for Clark's American Bandstand TV show: Checker's hastily arranged cover of Ballard's 'The Twist' (backed by Bandstand resident group) shot to no. 1 '60, returned there late '61, launched series of dance fads. Checker had been third choice after Ballard and Danny and the Juniors but his energetic ebullience served him well: 20 top 40 hits '59--64 incl. Don Covay's 'Pony Time', revival of Paul Williams R&B hit 'The Hucklebuck', 'Let's Twist Again', 'The Fly', 'Limbo Rock' and 'Slow Twistin' ' (duet with Dee Dee Sharp). In UK 'Let's Twist Again' (a better song, easier to dance to) outsold the original; total of ten top 40 UK entries incl. reissue of 'The Twist' and 'Again' back to back. Checker moved to Buddah '69, then Chalmac '71, dropped saxophone-led backing for 'progressive soul'; revival shows incl. film Let The Good Times Roll '73; he turned disco on MCA ('Running' made Billboard Hot 100 '82). (Hank Ballard was always grateful to Checkev; see his entry.)