Editing Chubby Checker (section)

==Career==
===1950s–1960s===
In December 1958, Checker privately recorded a novelty single for Clark in which the singer portrayed a school teacher with an unruly classroom of musical performers. The premise allowed Checker to imitate such acts as [[Fats Domino]], [[The Coasters]], [[Elvis Presley]], [[Cozy Cole]], and [[The Chipmunks]], each singing "[[Mary Had a Little Lamb]]". Clark sent the song out as his Christmas greeting, and it received such good response that Cameo-Parkway signed Checker to a recording contract.<ref>{{cite book|last=Dawson|first=Jim|url=http://archive.org/details/twiststoryofsong0000daws|title=The twist : the story of the song that changed the world|date=1995|publisher=[[Faber and Faber]]|location=Boston, Massachusetts|others=Internet Archive|isbn=978-0-571-19852-8|pages=[https://archive.org/details/twiststoryofsong0000daws/page/30/mode/2up 30-31]}}</ref> Titled "[[The Class (song)|The Class]]", the single became Checker's first release, charting at No. 38 in the spring of 1959.<ref name=":0">{{cite magazine|title=Chubby Checker|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/chubby-checker/|access-date=January 16, 2022|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|language=en-US}}</ref>

Checker introduced his version of "The Twist" at the age of 18 in July 1960 in [[Wildwood, New Jersey]] at the Rainbow Club. "The Twist" went on to top the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] not just once in 1960, but yet again in a separate chart run in late 1961. The first success was attributed to teens, and the unprecedented second number-one Billboard ranking was driven by older audiences following a spirited live performance<ref>{{cite AV media|date=October 22, 1961|title=Chubby Checker "The Twist & Let's Twist Again" on The Ed Sullivan Show|language=English |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDGprGUreOc|publisher=The Ed Sullivan Show via YouTube|access-date=March 13, 2022}}</ref> of the song by Checker on [[The Ed Sullivan Show]], seen by over 10 million viewers.<ref>{{cite web|last=Dawson|first=Jim|date=2012|title="The Twist"—Chubby Checker (1960)|url=https://www.loc.gov/static/programs/national-recording-preservation-board/documents/TheTwist.pdf|url-status=live|website=[[Library of Congress]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017102507/https://www.loc.gov/static/programs/national-recording-preservation-board/documents/TheTwist.pdf|archive-date=October 17, 2020 }}</ref> ([[Bing Crosby]]'s "[[White Christmas (song)|White Christmas]]" had also achieved number one twice on ''Billboard''{{'}}s earlier chart.)

"[[The Twist (song)|The Twist]]" had previously peaked at No. 16 on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' rhythm and blues chart, in the 1959 version recorded by its author, [[Hank Ballard]], whose band The Midnighters first performed the dance on stage. Checker's "Twist", however, was a nationwide smash, aided by his many appearances on Dick Clark's ''[[American Bandstand]]'', the top 10 ''American Bandstand'' ranking of the song, and the teenagers on the show who enjoyed dancing the Twist. The song was so ubiquitous that Checker felt that his critics thought he could only succeed as a dance demonstrator. Checker later lamented: ""The Twist" really ruined my life. I was on my way to becoming a big nightclub performer, and "The Twist" just wiped it out&nbsp;... It got so out of proportion. No one ever believes I have talent."<ref>{{cite book|title=The Twist: The Story of the Song and Dance That Changed the World|last=Dawson|first=Jim|publisher=[[Faber & Faber]]|year=1995|isbn=9780571198528|location=Boston, Massachusetts|pages=[https://archive.org/details/twiststoryofsong0000daws/page/26 26]|url=https://archive.org/details/twiststoryofsong0000daws/page/26}}</ref> By 1965 alone, "The Twist" had sold over 15 million copies, and was awarded multiple [[music recording sales certification|gold discs]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]].<ref name="The Book of Golden Discs">{{cite book|first=Joseph|last=Murrells|year=1978|title=The Book of Golden Discs|edition=2nd|publisher=Barrie and Jenkins Ltd|location=London, England|pages=[https://archive.org/details/bookofgoldendisc00murr/page/122 122–3]|isbn=0-214-20512-6|url=https://archive.org/details/bookofgoldendisc00murr/page/122}}</ref>

Despite Checker's initial disapproval, he found follow-up success with a succession of up-tempo dance tracks, including "The Hucklebuck" (#14), "[[The Fly (Chubby Checker song)|The Fly]]" (#7), "Dance the Mess Around" (#24), and "[[Pony Time]]", which became his second No. 1 single.<ref name=":0" /> Checker's follow-up "twist" single, "[[Let's Twist Again]]", won the 1962 [[Grammy Award for Best Rock and Roll Recording]].<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Unterberger|first=Andrew|date=January 26, 2018|title=60 Grammys, 60 Moments: The Greatest Moment From Every Grammys Ceremony So Far|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/greatest-grammy-moments-60-years-8095834/|url-status=live|access-date=January 16, 2022|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220116055342/https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/greatest-grammy-moments-60-years-8095834/|archive-date=January 16, 2022}}</ref> A 1962 duet with [[Dee Dee Sharp]], "Slow Twistin'", reached No. 3 on the national charts. Other substantial hits included "[[Dancin' Party]]", "[[Popeye the Hitchhiker]]", "[[Twenty Miles]]", "[[Birdland (Chubby Checker song)|Birdland]]", "[[Loddy Lo]]", and a Christmas duet with [[Bobby Rydell]], "[[Jingle Bell Rock]]". "[[Limbo Rock]]" reached No. 2 on 22–29 December 1962, becoming Checker's last top ten hit. Checker continued to have top 40 singles until 1965, his last being "[[Let's Do the Freddie]]" (#40), a variation on [[Freddie and the Dreamers]]' dance tune "Do the Freddie", with new melody and lyrics. Changes in public tastes, owing mostly to the [[British Invasion]] and [[Music history of the United States in the 1960s#Rock|counterculture era]], ended his hit-making career. He spent much of the rest of the 1960s touring and recording in Europe.

===1970s–1990s===
"The Twist" was recorded for [[Cameo-Parkway Records]] and along with the label's other material, became unavailable after the early 1970s because of the company's internal legal disputes. For decades, almost all compilations of Checker's hits consisted of re-recordings. The 1970s saw a shift and resurgence for his career, including a temporary stint as a [[disco]] artist. Checker continued to be a superstar in Europe with television and records.{{citation needed|date=September 2015}} A dance-floor cover version of [[the Beatles]]' "[[Back in the U.S.S.R.]]" released in 1969 on [[Buddah Records]], his first chart entry in three years, reached No. 82.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Billboard Hot 100, May 3, 1969|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/1969-05-03|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=July 8, 2017|archive-date=August 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170826092100/http://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/1969-05-03|url-status=live}}</ref> It was Checker's last chart appearance until 1982 when he hit No. 91 with "Running".<ref name=":0" />
[[File:ChubbyCheckerByPhilKonstantin.jpg|thumb|Chubby Checker during a TV interview in 2008]]

In 1971, Checker at his own insistence recorded a [[psychedelic music|psychedelic]] album filled with music he felt was "current" that was initially only released in Europe. Originally named ''[[Chequered!]]'', it was renamed over the years in subsequent re-releases as ''New Revelation'', ''The Other Side Of Chubby Checker'', and sometimes as ''Chubby Checker''. The songs were all written by Checker and produced by former [[Jimi Hendrix]] producer [[Ed Chalpin]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/ed-chalpin-mn0001538682|title=AllMusic – Ed Chalpin Credits|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=July 8, 2017}}</ref> but the studio musicians' names are unknown. The album flopped.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/chequered%21-mw0000836593|title=AllMusic Overview|last=Demming|first=Mark|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=July 8, 2017}}</ref>
Later in the decade, he recorded an album of "audiophile re-creations" of his greatest hits, for producer Stan Shulman.

In 1988, Chubby teamed up with hip-hop trio [[The Fat Boys]] with their version of ''The Twist (Yo, Twist)'': this reached No 2 in the UK.

===2000s and beyond===
Checker had a single at No. 1 on ''Billboard's'' dance [[record chart|chart]] in July 2008 with "Knock Down the Walls". The single also made the top 30 on the Adult Contemporary chart.<ref name=":0" /> [[Roger Filgate]] of [[Wishbone Ash]] is featured on lead guitar.<ref>{{cite web|date=2009-09-17|title=Guitarist Filgate performs with Chubby Checker in Danbury|url=https://www.newstimes.com/news/article/Guitarist-Filgate-performs-with-Chubby-Checker-in-132067.php|access-date=2022-01-16|website=NewsTimes|language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2009, Checker recorded a [[public service announcement]] (PSA) for the [[Social Security Administration]] to help launch a new campaign to promote recent changes in [[Medicare (United States)|Medicare]] law.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pgm/flash/chubbychecker.htm|title=Social Security Public Service Announcement|publisher=Social Security Administration|access-date=2015-08-18|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924103328/http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pgm/flash/chubbychecker.htm|archive-date=2015-09-24}}</ref> In the PSA, Checker encourages Americans on Medicare to apply for Extra Help, "A new 'twist' in the law makes it easier than ever to save on your prescription drug plan costs."<ref name= SSA_PSA>{{cite web|access-date=January 8, 2010|url=http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pressoffice/psa-video.html|title=Public Service Announcements for Television|website=SocialSecurity.gov|publisher=Social Security Administration|archive-date=January 14, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100114183615/http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pressoffice/psa-video.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name= SSA_videos>{{cite web|access-date=January 8, 2010|url=http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pressoffice/psa-video.html|title=Social Security Videos|publisher=Social Security Administration}}</ref>

On February 25, 2013, Checker released a new single, the ballad "Changes," via [[iTunes]]; it was posted on YouTube and amassed over 160,000 views.<ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130702013406/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FIPWtdxJoQ&gl=US&hl=en|archive-date=July 2, 2013|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FIPWtdxJoQ|title=You Tube video|website=YouTube|date=April 29, 2013 |access-date=July 9, 2017}}</ref> "Changes" was produced by the hill & hifi and reached 43 on the [[Mediabase]] Top 100 AC Chart and 41 on the Gospel Chart. Checker performed it on July 5, 2013, on [[NBC]]'s ''[[Today (U.S. TV program)|Today]]'' show.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.today.com/video/chubby-checker-sings-new-single-changes-36148291553|title="Today Show" video – July 5, 2013|access-date=July 9, 2017|archive-date=March 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190301140022/https://www.today.com/video/chubby-checker-sings-new-single-changes-36148291553|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2015, Checker joined forces with Howard Perl Entertainment<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cleveland.com/music/2015/01/chubby_checker_adds_twist_to_f.html|title=Chubby Checker adds twist to fundraiser for Geauga's Rescue Village|last1=Yarborough|first1=Chuck|newspaper=[[The Plain Dealer]]|date=January 6, 2015|language=en|access-date=January 23, 2020}}</ref> to produce live events, such as "Rock and Roll to The Rescue",<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2014/12/17/backstage-pass-an-interview-with-rock-singer-chubby-checker|title=Backstage Pass: An Interview with Rock Singer Chubby Checker|last=Niesel|first=Jeff|website=Cleveland Scene|language=en|access-date=2020-01-23|archive-date=May 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200519053042/https://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2014/12/17/backstage-pass-an-interview-with-rock-singer-chubby-checker|url-status=live}}</ref> a tour designed to raise funds for rescue animals in need nationwide.

In 2025, Checker was selected for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame; He had been eligible for induction since the Hall's first class in 1986.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Grein |first1=Paul |title=Outkast, The White Stripes, Soundgarden, Chubby Checker & More to Join 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Class: Full List |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/rock-roll-hall-of-fame-2025-class-full-list-outkast-1235956268/ |website=Billboard |access-date=28 April 2025 |date=28 April 2025}}</ref>

In 2002, Checker protested outside of the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] induction ceremony, over the lack of radio airplay of his hit "[[The Twist (song)|The Twist]]" and his perception that the Hall of Fame had snubbed him. [[Seymour Stein]], president of the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame|Rock Hall]]'s New York chapter and member of the nomination committee, claimed "I think that Chubby is someone who will be considered. He has in certain years."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/music/wire/sns-ap-music-chubby-checker,0,1104288.story|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080209131626/http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/music/wire/sns-ap-music-chubby-checker%2C0%2C1104288.story|archive-date=February 9, 2008|title=Chubby Checker Stages RockHall Fame Protest|author=Mumby Moody, Nekesa|date=March 16, 2004|newspaper=[[Newsday]]|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2013, Checker sued [[Hewlett-Packard|HP]] over a [[WebOS]] application using his name. The application, before being pulled in September 2012, was used to unscientifically estimate penis size from shoe size.<ref>{{cite web|last=Gallagher|first=Sean|url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2013/02/hp-sued-by-chubby-checker-over-webos-penis-size-app/|title=HP sued by Chubby Checker over webOS penis size app|website=[[Ars Technica]]|date=February 14, 2013|access-date=August 18, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.marketwatch.com/story/famed-attorney-willie-gary-files-half-billion-dollar-lawsuit-on-behalf-of-music-legend-chubby-checker-against-hewlett-packard-and-palm-inc-for-copyright-infringement|date=February 12, 2013|website=[[Marketwatch]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130602012846/http://www.marketwatch.com/story/famed-attorney-willie-gary-files-half-billion-dollar-lawsuit-on-behalf-of-music-legend-chubby-checker-against-hewlett-packard-and-palm-inc-for-copyright-infringement-2013-02-12|archive-date=June 2, 2013|title=Famed Attorney Willie Gary Files Half-Billion Dollar Lawsuit on behalf of Music Legend Chubby Checker against Hewlett Packard and Palm, Inc. for Copyright Infringement|agency=PR Newswire|location=Ft. Pierce, Florida|access-date=November 20, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Derek|last=Kessler|date=12 February 2013|url=http://www.webosnation.com/chubby-checker-lawsuit-filed-against-hp-over-endowment-size-estimator|title='Chubby Checker' lawsuit filed against HP over endowment size estimator|website=webOS Nation|access-date=18 August 2015|archive-date=February 14, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130214194552/http://www.webosnation.com/chubby-checker-lawsuit-filed-against-hp-over-endowment-size-estimator|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Devin|last=Coldewey|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/gadgets/chubby-checker-sues-hp-over-penis-size-app-flna1C8383682|title=Chubby Checker sues HP over penis size app|website=[[NBC News]]|date=February 14, 2013|accessdate=July 3, 2022}}</ref> The district court said that Checker's trademark claim survived HP's motion to dismiss, but his other claims were dismissed per [[Section 230]] of the [[Communications Decency Act]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://digitalcommons.law.scu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1492&amp;context=historical|title=Ernest Evans et al v. Hewlett-Packard Company et al|website=DigitalCommons.law.scu.edu|publisher=[[Santa Clara University]]|access-date=2015-08-18|archive-date=July 28, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240728190218/https://digitalcommons.law.scu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1492&amp;context=historical|url-status=live}}</ref>