WHEREAS, Ernest Evans, known to the world as Chubby Checker, was born in 1941 and raised in South Philadelphia, where his musical journey began. He learned piano at Settlement Music School and attended South Philadelphia High School. After school, he worked in the Italian Market on Ninth Street and would entertain customers with songs and jokes; and
WHEREAS, Chubby Checker reached musical stardom in 1960 with his recording of “The Twist,” a cultural phenomenon that launched a global dance craze and redefined popular music. The song’s success led to numerous remakes and remixes, solidifying its place in music history; and
WHEREAS, In addition to “The Twist”, Chubby Checker is known for a string of hit records including, “Pony Time”, “The Fly”, “Twisting U.S.A”, and “Let’s Twist Again,” all of which achieved large commercial success and further established Checker as a talented songwriter and performer; and
WHEREAS, Chubby Checker’s colorful instrumentals and catchy lyrics helped pioneer a new genre of dance music that transcended generations. He became one of the first artists to have the same song - “The Twist” - reach top the charts in two separate years; and
WHEREAS, With a discography including rock and roll, pop, and dance, Chubby Checker appeals to various audiences, reinforcing his influence on American music and culture; and
WHEREAS, After amassing musical success, Chubby Checker appeared on several television programs and movies including American Bandstand, Twist Around the Clock, and Quantum Leap; and
WHEREAS, Since the initial release of Chubby Checker’s “The Twist”, in 1960, the song has gone on to become an American sensation. In 2014, the song set a Guiness World Record for “the largest dance”, when a crowd of 3,040 in Mississippi did the iconic dance simultaneously; and
WHEREAS, Chubby Checker recently added to his illustrious career accomplishments with an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. With this recognition, Chubby Checker receives the most prestigious honor in music, joining Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, Hall & Oates, and Thom Bell as notable Philadelphians to also achieve this accolade; and
WHEREAS, Through timeless songs, dances, and movies, Chubby Checker has cemented his legacy, adding to Philadelphia’s history of creating musical talent; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby celebrates Chubby Checker - legendary singer, dancer, and South Philadelphia native - on the occasion of his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
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