The Twist turns 50

The half-century mark for an iconic song and dance was celebrated in Philadelphia by the artist who made it one of the biggest hits of all time.

The half-century mark for an iconic song and dance was celebrated in Philadelphia by the artist who made it one of the biggest hits of all time.

Ernest Evans was raised in the projects of South Philadelphia and grew up to be Chubby Checker, the singer known for the dance craze called The Twist. At an event in Philadelphia celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Twist, Checker said the song and the dance are part of the fabric of America.

“What we brought here is the same as when Alexander Graham Bell said Watson is that you, it became a permanent fixture in our lives. When Edison turned on the light bulb it became a permanent fixture in our lives. When Chubby Checker went on American Bandstand and did the twist it became a permanent fixture on the dance floor forever.”

Checker played a lunchtime concert at City Hall, wowing his fans who stayed out in the blazing sun to hear him sing and dance.

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