Born Ernest Evans on Oct. 3, 1941, in Spring Gully, South Carolina, Chubby Checker always knew entertainment was in his blood. Forming a street-corner harmony group at just 11 years old, Checker helped popularize many forms of dance with his catchy songs, including the Twist and the limbo. Now, at 83 years old, the singer will finally see his accomplishments immortalized when he is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as part of the 2025 class. And if you ask Checker, why stop there?
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Chubby Checker: “Give the Man Some Credit!”
With hits like “The Twist” and “Limbo Rock,” Chubby Checker basically wrote the book on dance floor trends. In particular, “The Twist” sat atop Billboard‘s list of all-time No. 1 Hot 100 singles from 2008 until September 2020. Still, you rarely hear it on the radio, which has always bothered Checker.
In 2002, he voiced his displeasure with a protest outside that year’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. While Checker made it clear that he was fine with never gaining entry into the vaunted institution, he did have one suggestion: Why not erect a statue of his likeness outside the Hall to greet visitors?
“Everyone got so angry about that,” the rock-and-roll icon recently told Variety. “Everybody’s made a whole lotta money off of Chubby. Give the man some credit!”
How on Earth was Chubby Checker not already in the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame? Should he have gone in, like, the inaugural class, whenever that was? https://t.co/27RHl1wL48
— Stephen Silver (@StephenSilver) April 28, 2025
Despite being eligible since the Hal inducted its inaugural class in 1986, Checker only scored a nomination this year. But he isn’t dwelling on past snubs. “It’s just a great thing that it’s happening,” he said. “And if they finally put my statue up, well, I might not be alive to see that happen, but people will enjoy it.”
He Does Have One Request, Though
Even in his ninth decade, Chubby Checker has shows booked for the next three years. His career is still thriving—and he’d like his airtime to reflect that. He wants fans to hear his music “in the same way people can hear Billy Joel, the Beatles, Elton John or Fleetwood Mac: everywhere.”
“On the radio. In supermarkets. I want to hear my music liked like them,” Checker said. “The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame says I’m in, and I appreciate that. But I want to hear my music, and get it heard like they do.”
Featured image by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images
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