Chubby Checker and The Spinners

Chubby Checker
In 2 minutes & 42 Seconds, Chubby Checker revolutionized popular Culture and changed the Music Business forever. When he appeared on American Bandstand in 1960 and performed “The Twist,” it was the dawn of a new era in Rock and Roll. Dancing Apart to the Beat was born and teenagers found a new way to express themselves. Chubby’s Dance Style has extended from Woodstock, thru Disco to the present day. He stands alone as      a one of a kind Rock Icon, who has had 36 Hit Records, is the only artist to have a    single go to # 1 Twice, and according to Billboard, has the # 1 Single for the whole Decade of the 60’s. Chubby was awarded the first Platinum Single, the first Rock Grammy and has sold an astounding 250,000,000 records over the years. That’s why Dick Clark has said: “The three most important things that ever happened in the Music  Industry are Elvis Presley, The Beatles, and Chubby Checker.”

In the 21st Century, Chubby Checker string of Hit singles; and influence on a whole new generation continues. In 2004, his Radio Disney Hit, “Limbo Remix” was a fixture on the Billboard Dance Chart and remained in the Top 5 for over a year. This success was supplemented with a 2 year Tour of Disney Stations and was played over 30,000 times.

Last summer Chubby released “Knock Down The Walls,” which made it’s way to the # 1 Spot on Billboard’s Dance Chart and extended his National Chart Life to 45 plus years – 2nd only to Elvis Presley. A Pop mix of the song found its way into the Top 30 at Adult Contemporary Radio and sparked more renewed interest in the 66 year old Artist. For the first time in 25 years Chubby, Checker will have a Major Label release. RED will issue “All The Best Deluxe 2 CD Set”, which contains Chubby’s re-mastered Greatest Hits along with the New Y2K Hits. Chubby’s latest release is a re-mix of “The Fly”, which was a Top 10 record in 1962. The single also includes an upgraded mix and re-mastering of the classic version of the song. The release date for “The Fly” is July 7, 2009.

Chubby Checker is the son of a tobacco farmer from Spring Gulley, SC. His mother moved the family to Philadelphia when he was a young boy. It was here on South Street, in Tony Anastazi’s Produce Store, that he became a local celebrity by doing impressions of Fats Domino, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Elvis. His first manager, Henry Colt brought him to the attention of Kal Mann, who signed him to Cameo-Parkway Records. It was Dick Clark’s wife, Bobbie, who came up with the name Checker to go with his childhood nick name Chubby – a reference to the similarity between him and Fats Domino. Chubby’s first single, “The Class” was a vehicle for his musical impressions and was included in Dick Clark’s ’58 Christmas card. That record was his first hit and reached #38 in Billboard.

Soon after, Dick Clark was looking for someone to record “The Twist,” a song originally written and performed by Hank Ballard. He needed a more commercial version for the

kids on Bandstand. After Danny & The Juniors turned down the request, Chubby recorded his version in 35 minutes one evening in July of ’59. The new track shared the same arrangement except for a straighter drum feel and smoother vocal delivery. Chubby Checker’s cover and his accompanying dance routine gave the song new life. It took over a year but “The Twist” went to # 1 in the fall of ’60. He was dubbed “The King of the Twist.”

This initial success was followed by a string of hit singles in the early 60’s – some of which are: The Hucklebuck (#9), Pony Time (#1), The Mess Around (#24), The Fly (#7), Slow Twistn’ (#3), Limbo Rock (#2), Jingle Bell Rock (#21), Popeye (#10), Dancin’ Party (#12), as well as the first Certified Platinum single ever, “Lets Twist Again.” Chubby had 10 double sided hits and according to Billboard was one of the top charting Artists in 59,60,61,62, & 63 – rated at #3 in ’61 & ’62. When Chubby married Catherina Lodder, who was Miss World ’62, he dedicated the single “Loddy Lo” to her; which became a double sided hit along with “Hooka Tooka.” In 1988 he sang lead on the Fat Boys’ cover, “Yo Twist,” which made it to # 16. In 2002, Chubby’s country single, “Honky Tonk Girls” reached 37 on the New Music Weekly’s American Country Chart.

Chubby Checker has been on a never ending tour since 1959 and has a full schedule of Concert Dates and Personal appearances through out the year. At the Daytona 500, in February 2008, he performed in front of one of the largest TV Audiences in History – 50 million viewers; as the Headline Act for the Race’s 50th Anniversary. As Chubby approaches his own 50th Anniversary in Rock and Roll, his future even looks brighter than ever. Chubby’s loyal fans from the 60’s are now joined by the new audience he’s been attracting over the last several years; from airplay on the Radio and appearances associated with Radio Disney. There are only a handful of true Rock Pioneers still performing at the peak of there ability. Chubby Checker is that rare breed. Every time Chubby steps onto a stage, he demonstrates Charisma and a unique Quality that can never be equaled.

The fall of 2009 will see the release of Chubby’s 3rd Single on TEEC Recordings, now distributed by RED. “The Fly” is a Remix of his Top 10 hit from 1961. The first version on the CD is a tribute to the original; with superior sonic quality that allows it to sit alongside Modern Productions, while still maintaining the charm & elegance of the original Record. The second mix is a cutting edge Production that has the vitality to be played along side Black Eyed Peas and Justin Timberlake on any current Top 40 Station. Today, 9/23/2009 Chubby Checker extended his National Chart life to over 50 years. He debuts on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles sales at # 40!

Quite simply, Chubby Checker has the # 1 Record of all time – “The Twist.”  Billboard Magazine cited him for this honor in 2008 & re-affirmed it in 2013. Dick Clark proclaimed that Elvis, The Beatles, & Chubby Checker are the 3 most important things to ever happen the Music Business.  As Summer continues, Audiences will have the opportunity to see Chubby Live & in action, as he continues his “Never Ending Tour.” For over 55 years Chubby has entertained audiences, with his Hits, that have sold in excess of 250,000,000 records & CDs. In addition to Chubby Checker “Standards,,” he will be performing his newest Hit, “Changes,” which has been a stable on Sirius XM & is currently the # 11 Record on Billboard’s Hot Singles CD Sales Chart.

Recent National TV exposure on PBS, The Today Show, the Huckabee Show on FOX TV, and a Standing ovation at the ASCAP Music Awards in NYC, have brought Chubby to the forefront of American Pop Culture, where he rightfully belongs. Articles in Rolling Stone & the NY Times only serve to highlight what Chubby’s Fans already know.  Chubby Checker is the Most Exciting Performer out there & he only gets better & better with time.

The Spinners
Most often thought of as a Motown recording act, the classic group sound of legendary R&B recording artists, The Spinners has never lost its universal appeal. Throughout the years they have sold millions of records and topped both the Pop and R&B charts with smash hits like “I’ll Be Around”  and “Then  Came You.” Today,  original member  Henry Fambrough  is joined onstage by lead singer Charlton Washington, high tenor Marvin Taylor, tenor Ronnie Moss, and bass singer Jessie Peck; a soul-infused 5-piece band, led by Keith Ferguson, backs them up.

After a brief time at Motown, The Spinners signed to Atlantic Records in 1972. There, under the helm of producer and songwriter HYPERLINK  “https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thom_Bell” o “Thom Bell” Thom Bell, The Spinners charted five top 100 singles (and two top tens) from their first post-Motown album, HYPERLINK “https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinners_(album)” o “Spinners (album)” Spinners (1972), and went on to become one of the biggest soul groups of the 1970s. A partial list of their hit singles on Atlantic include “Mighty Love,” “Then Came You,” “I’ll Be Around,” “One Of A Kind (Love Affair),” “Games People Play,” and “Could It Be.” In 1979, The Spinners completed their first collaboration with producer Michael Zager, and by early 1980, the single, “Working My Way Back to You,” was topping Pop and R&B charts giving the group its 12th gold record. The Love Trippin’ album’s release included “The Cupid Medley,” one of the fastest selling records in The Spinners’ career. The follow-up album, Labor of Love, featured such stand-out tunes as “Yesterday Once More,” and “Long Live Soul Music.” With the release of “Can’t Shake This Feeling,” their fourth LP in just over two years, the quintet entered a brand new phase of their remarkable career as they joined the award winning producing/writing/ playing team of James Mtume and Reggie Lucas. Other past releases include songs on the motion picture soundtracks of “Twins” and “Spaceballs,” and a single on Arista Records with Dionne Warwick entitled “Then Came You.”

The Spinners have six Grammy nominations and have performed twice during the awards ceremony. Inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1999, they have also been awarded the Rhythm and Blues Foundation Award for their contribution to the genre. The group has performed for presidents, received a star on the Hollywood “Walk of Fame,” and has appeared in numerous network and cable television specials paying tribute to the music of the 70’s. In September 2011, 57 years after forming in Detroit and 50 years after ” HYPERLINK “https:// en.wikipedia.org/wiki/That%27s_What_Girls_Are_Made_For” o “That’s What Girls Are Made For” That’s What Girls Are Made For”, the group was announced as one of 15 final nominees for the HYPERLINK “https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_%26_Roll_Hall_of_Fame” o “Rock  & Roll Hall of Fame” Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, their first nomination.

Today, this legendary R & B group maintains an active touring schedule, performing for fans of all ages in sold out houses around the world.