Why Chubby Checker Staged His Own Rock Hall Induction and Won’t Attend the Official Ceremony

UltimateClassicRock ^ | August 8, 2025 | Allison Rapp

[Kleon]

I take it you weren’t around to do the twist.

[bushinohio]

Know who else isn’t in the Hall of Fame? Neil Sedaka. That’s absolutely wrong. He should have been inducted his first year of eligibility 40 years ago.

[Bullish]

This guy’s somehow not dead? Wow!

[bigbob]

He deserves to be in the HOF as to many others, but it’s a big joke. Thus I fully approve of him doing it his way.

[Kleon]

Did he do anything besides Blueberry Hill and a twist song?

Another Twist song.

[nickcarraway]

Twisting extends your life. Proven scientific fact.

[Fiji Hill]

Popeye (The Hitchhiker)--a hit song at the time of the Cuban Missile Crisis

[Fiji Hill]

Pony Time--Chubby Checker (1961)

I prefer Don Covay's original version, also from 1961.

[Bullish]

I only twist when I’m playing golf.

[Fiji Hill]

Twisting extends your life. Proven scientific fact.

"Well, lots of doctors agree, so I've been told,
Do the Twist and you'll never get old."
--Gary U.S. Bonds

[goodnesswins]

Yeah...I can’t believe he is still around. Used to watch him with my great grandma...she had me do the Twist with him on TV!

[Fiji Hill]

The Twist--The Little Sisters (1960)

"Come on, Chubby, let's do the twist.
Come on, Chubby, let's do the twist.
Imitate your little sis, and go like this."

[nickcarraway]

Good pull!

[Fiji Hill]

The all-time bestselling record in Los Angeles

The Twist--Chubby Checker (1960)

[Scarpetta]

I was a teenager living in Wayne, PA and I knew Chubby as Mister Evans and was friendly with his son and daughter. The girl drove her dad’s DeLorean.

[telescope115]

I like his attitude.

[Bruce Campbells Chin]

I take it you weren’t around to do the twist.

He didn't even write it. Didn't play a single instrument, and just barely passable singing. He's a novelty act with just that one schtick.

Now I'd agree that rappers don't belong in there either. But there are plenty of actual musicians that deserve to be in there more.

He's in there for one reason. RRHOF is woke as hell, and they wanted another black inductee. Simple as that.

[TangoLimaSierra]

Carol Kaye is a boss still to this day.

Part of "The Wrecking Crew".

[jocon307]

Stumbled on to the ceremony on TV one year, saw Joan Baez inducted.

What was interesting to me was the song she sang was “the night they drove old dixie down”, which is maybe a bit out of style lately, if you know what I mean.

But Joan sang it loud & proud, I’ll give her that.

Don’t really consider her a rock & roll person, but liked it that she sang that great song.

[UnwashedPeasant]

Of course, he is most associated with “The Twist,” which was #1 in 1960 then #1 again in 1962, as well as “Let’s Twist Again” (#8 in 1961). But his song “Pony Time” (#1 in 1961) started the dance craze known as “The Pony.” He had many other hits, including the classic “Limbo Rock” (#2 in 1962).