As you'll see, but 1962, America was pretty much obsessed with The Twist, with even Frank Sinatra getting on board: Here's a breakdown with US chart position. Clark also helped out Ballard by promoting his song "Finger Poppin' Time," which rose to #7 around the same time "The Twist" was happening.Īfter this was released, many other groups incorporated The Twist in their songs. Since he was the songwriter, Ballard earned massive royalties when Checker's version became a huge hit. Ballard was not bitter toward Checker or Clark when his version was left behind, especially since Ballard's record company had no faith in the song. The cover was so convincing that when Hank Ballard first heard the song on the radio he thought it was him - "They cloned it" were Hank's words. Ernest Evans became Chubby Checker, and after performing the song on American Bandstand, it was his version that raced up the charts. Clark's wife suggested that he use a take off on Fats Domino: Fats=Chubby Domino=Checker. Clark was going to release the record but wanted Ernest to think up a stage name. Studio musicians at Cameo-Parkway, along with Evans on vocals, duplicated the Ballard version of "The Twist," which they did almost exactly: Same key, same tempo, and Evans sounded just like Hank Ballard. He was a great impersonator and kept everyone at the chicken plant laughing as he'd do his impersonations of the popular stars of that time like Fats Domino, Elvis, The Coasters and the Chipmunks.īecause of payola laws, Clark was technically prohibited from having financial dealings with record companies, but he had a good relationship with the Philly label Cameo-Parkway, which took care of recording and releasing the new version. He held auditions, and found a young man named Earnest Evans, a chicken plucker who liked to sing on the job. Clark loved the song but was wary of Ballard, who was known for raunchy songs like "Sexy Ways" and "Work With Me Annie." Clark, who was a media mogul with interests in record labels and artists, went looking for his own artist to break the song. The kids' reaction was excellent and Buddy recommended the song to Dick Clark, who had his own show in Philadelphia, American Bandstand.
#Peppermint twist chubby checker tv
In Baltimore a deejay named Buddy Deane had a TV dance party show ( The Buddy Deane Show) and played the song. "The Twist" went over very well live and Ballard thought it was a hit, but his record company (King Records) thought "Teardrops On My Letter" would do better (it made #87). Ballard's original version was the B-side to "Teardrops On Your Letter," a song that was covered by many country musicians.
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