“The Twist” was originally written by Hank Ballard, but 2025 Inductee Chubby Checker turned it into a cultural phenomenon. Checker debuted his version of the song in July 1960 at the Rainbow Club in Wildwood, New Jersey. The dance, which was performed in tandem with the song, took the nation by storm, with moves considered scandalous and ahead of their time. Chubby Checker, born Ernest Evans, was given his now-iconic stage name while working at a produce market where the owner of the market call

Before TikTok dances, before viral challenges—there was Chubby Checker. In 1960, he took the nation by storm with “The Twist.” What started as a simple dance move turned into a cultural earthquake. Suddenly, living rooms, nightclubs, and even the White House were twisting the night away. Chubby didn’t just give us a hit song—he gave us a moment. He broke the mold of stiff, paired dancing and let people move free, solo, and wild. That freedom in movement? It changed pop culture forever. From the

Here's how to do The Twist — the dance that changed everything 💃 In this rare 1961 clip from Australia’s Brian Henderson's Bandstand, a professional dancer breaks down Chubby Checker’s iconic moves step-by-step. Chubby Checker will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame this year. Watch the 2025 Induction Ceremony on November 8, live on Disney . | Rock & Roll Hall of Fame