By stephanie (69.138.239.31) on Monday, March 15, 2004 - 08:20 pm:

Chubby Checker Stages Rock Hall Protest
1 hour, 27 minutes ago

By NEKESA MUMBI MOODY, AP Music Writer

NEW YORK - Chubby Checker (news), whose song "The Twist" was one of the most popular dance records of all time, isn't in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. And that's OK with him.


AP Photo



But the singer is peeved over what he considers a lack of radio airplay for the classic song and his new material. So he staged a protest � albeit good-natured � outside Monday's induction festivities in midtown Manhattan.


"I'm not doing it to get into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at all," he told The Associated Press in an interview. "I don't get the airplay that one in my position deserves. 'Twist and Shout' gets more airplay than 'The Twist,' and that's not right."


Checker, 62, has been recording for decades, and some of other hits include "The Hucklebuck" and "Pony Time." But his biggest hit was the 1960 song "The Twist," which went to No. 1 in that year and again in 1961, sparking a dance craze across the nation. The song was so popular he even had a hit with its sequel, "Let's Twist Again," in 1961. (He also had a hit with "Slow Twistin'" and in 1994 released a song called "Texas Twist").


While the writer of the "The Twist," Hank Ballard (news), has been inducted into hall, Checker hasn't.


Seymour Stein, president of the Rock Hall's New York chapter and member of the committee that helps select inductees, told the AP: "I think that Chubby is someone who will be considered. He has in certain years."


However, Checker doesn't think it's necessary that he's inducted.


"It doesn't matter at all," he said. "They have 'The Twist' there already. They don't need two in there."


But he does want a photo of himself to welcome people into the Rock Hall's museum in Cleveland, a request the Hall of Fame has not obliged.


"Who's more fitting to do that than me?" he asks.


And he's salty over what he perceives as a lack of respect at radio. He complains that "The Twist" doesn't get the airplay it deserves on oldies stations, and that radio is ignoring his new material, even though his latest song, "Limbo Rock Remixes," has risen to No. 16 on Billboard's Hot Dance Singles Sales chart.


"Here's an old eagle laying new eggs, and I thought that radio would be ecstatic," he said. "But they're not."


"I'm not getting the airplay � no airplay, no payday," said Checker, who waxes on and on about the popularity of "The Twist. He says even foods with the words "twist" and "checker" in them point to the song's enduring popularity. (He also markets "Chubby Checker's Beef Jerky" with flavors like "Sugar Twist Teriyaki.")


Checker hopes that will change with his one-man protest outside the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, where the induction dinner was scheduled for Monday evening.


"I'm really appearing on the street for musical recognition," Checker said.


___


AP Television Writer David Bauder contributed to this report.




___

On the Net:

http://www.chubbychecker.com


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By Juicefree20 (151.205.106.125) on Monday, March 15, 2004 - 09:00 pm:

Hey Steph, you beat me to this one. I saw the article in my browser & was going to post it. I found it a bit interesting. I guess that they perceive Chubby to be more of a pop icon, rather than a Rock & Roller.

By Rodmann (12.223.170.105) on Monday, March 15, 2004 - 09:10 pm:

'The Twist' sure gets a lot of airplay on my local Oldies station! It's Chubby's prerogative if he wants to be upset about what he considers a lack of airplay for his hits but why would he begrudge The Isley Brothers' getting airplay with 'Twist And Shout'?

As a serious music fan I personally feel that the whole Oldies radio format is a bit cheesy. They've been playing the same handful of Pop hits for 40 years and never add anything new to the mix even if it was a hit! And don't hold you breath waiting for them to play a rare Soul hit! LOL.

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Monday, March 15, 2004 - 09:13 pm:

That is something. I don't know what to say about that.

By Rodmann (12.223.170.105) on Monday, March 15, 2004 - 09:15 pm:

One more thing. I saw Chubby on TV a few months ago talking about how he's sick and tired of everyone riding his coattails and trying to get a piece of his fame! He certainly doesn't come across as being very modest.

By jrlo (24.130.218.105) on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 02:01 am:

Rodman!
You took the words right of my mouth. The oldies stations are a joke, I mean how many times can you play "Baby Love"?????

By Tony Russi (68.18.235.252) on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 09:22 am:

Rodman, when Chubby says about "Twist & Shout" getting more airplay I'm sure he is referring to the Beatles version.The Clear Channel Oldies station here in Orlando is absolutley HORRIBLE.I've said it before...Chubby Checker should have been inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame years ago.He has atleast 21 Top 40 Hits, many top ten.."Pony Time" was #1, "Limbo Rock "#2,"Slow Twistin"(my fave)#2 all top ten R & B also.He is a fantastic performer & always puts on a good show.Although I love Hank Ballard & his version of "The Twist" made the top 30 Chubby really sold "The Twist" and I'm sure Hank enjoyed the writers royaties.Chubby Checker was a Teen Idol....with plenty of talent.

By Gary (66.73.238.5) on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 09:47 am:

Hank Ballard may have originated The Twist, but Chubby locked it into American culture forever. He deserves to be in the R&RHOF.

BTW...I couldn't agree more with the comments concerning "oldies" radio.

By Livonia Ken (136.2.1.101) on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 10:43 am:

Are CC's classic recordings part of the vacuum sealed Cameo-Parkway catalog at ABKCO?

Regards,
Ken

By Tony Russi (68.18.235.252) on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 11:06 am:

Yes, but hopefully as discussed on the Tymes thread, they will be released soon.Music Choice on Digital cable plays the best oldies alot of songs that I had forgotten about.

By Juicefree20 (68.161.24.249) on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 11:14 am:

Frankly, I always liked Hank Ballards version better. If anyone should have been bitter, it was Hank. He didn't have the promotional push that Cameo Parkway provided for Chubby. We all remember why that was, don't we? I also thought that The Twist borrowed quite liberally from What'cha Gonna Do by The Drifters. Although I'm not quite impressed by most of his music, I would guess that he belongs in the hall.

I'm more bothered that the wires still report The Dells as a "50s Harmony Group". These folks must have slept through the 60s & 70s, as those were The Dells peak years. I guess that's why so many of our classic artists have a snowballs chance in hell, of ever making the Hall.

By Vandelron (68.198.48.201) on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 12:19 pm:

I think Chubby is great but certainly not in the same league with Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Fats etc.

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 12:30 pm:

Chubby's #1 hit "The Twist" gets more airplay on oldies radio than most records that were #1 so I don't understand why he's "bitter".

As for his "Limbo Rock Remixes" not getting airplay, Chubby should be happy that it was at #16 on Billboard's Dance Sales since SALES is what's gonna bring in the dollars, not just airplay.

Kevin Goins - KevGo

By Tony Russi (68.18.235.252) on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 01:06 pm:

I do not know Chubby personally but as a 10 yr old kid when the Twist hit...I saw what a Huge Impact he made on the whole POP culture...he was like the bridge between Chuck Berry, Little Richard to the Beatles, Pop Culture wise. Chubby was in that "Teen Idol" Philadelphia, Bandstand era along with Bobby Rydell, Fabian, Frankie Avalon.Chubby started that whole early 60's dance craze era and I would say he was a Rock star certainly not a Soul star...although Chubby can sing.I guess what I'm trying to say is Chubby Checker belongs in that Rock & Roll Hall of Fame before a heck of a lot of others that have already been put in.I know in about '66 he had a BIG record down here on the Soul stations with "Karate Monkey".He was stuck in that dance craze bag, by his label & management.

By Vandelron (68.198.48.201) on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 01:46 pm:

Yes he was in that silly dance bag stuff so hence I dont see his broad appeal or unusual talent. To me the talent of a Darlene Love or Lala Brooks or the Marvelettes(who also wrote some of their own stuff) or Chuck Jackson, Linda Jones etc exceeds Chubby--but just my opinion, no right or wrong. I kind of see Chubby and the Monkees similarly.

By Lynn Bruce (68.41.110.49) on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 01:52 pm:

I backed up Chubby on drums in 1960 in Ottawa,Can.----Wild wood N.J.,at the Elbow room(I think)---and a few other places. He could take a crowd from just standing still to wild frenzyed bunch of dancers in one chorus of his singing.
About four years later I saw him at the Michigan State Fair and he acted like I was just some fan bothering him.

I will say this though.He should have been in the R.R.hall of fame a long time ago as should have been Bob Segar!!!

By R&B (138.238.41.118) on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 02:03 pm:

HEY CHUBBY,THERE ARE SOME ARTIST WHOSE SONGS YOU NEVER HEAR ON MOST OLDIES STATIONS AND THEY AIN'T CRYIN ABOUT IT,YOU'VE HAD A GREAT CAREER AND MANY HITS AND FANS ALL OVER THE WORLD,SO STOP CRYIN,AND KEEP TWISTIN!

By roger (217.35.87.17) on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 02:03 pm:

Hello Everyone.

Maybe CHUBBY CHECKER has been listening to British "Oldies" stations?

The funny thing about "The Twist" is that if you ask to hear it on this side of the pond you will invariably hear "Let's Twist Again" instead, as "The Twist" has never charted here. In contrast "Lets Twist Again" has had at least two separate chart runs.

I would estimate that at least 90% of the Great British public think that they are the same song!!

Roger

By Tony Russi (68.18.235.252) on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 02:10 pm:

Vandelron...you said it Darlene Love, Lala Brooks,Marvelettes, Chuck Jackson yes indeed.The major difference in Chubby and the Monkees(yuk) is Chubby made dance records and he was and is great in person and Chubby really can sing.Lynn you are right about he can move a crowd.His is a high energy fun show,party drink beer & rock out.The last time I saw him was 2 years ago and he had a tour bus, 10 piece band and 2 background singers, one of which was his daughter I beleive.

By Vandelron (68.198.48.201) on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 03:02 pm:

Some of my rock and roll friends feel the Monkees are talented though had been very restricted at the peak of their popularity and said they put on great live shows. Im sure Chubby is great in person and I loved Back in the USSR. What is he like on ballads? There are just too many other talented singers who havent made it yet into the Hall of Fame. Darlene and Chuck give me chills with their voices--Chubby is fun. The Hall of Fame really should recognize the Blossoms, Andantes and Sweet Inspirations for their incrdieble accomplishments on so many records--can u imagine Suspicious Minds by Elvis without the Sweets?(But I dont hold my breath--someday Im gonna do percents on the number of women and blacks in the Hall of Fame compared to white males.)

By Juicefree20 (68.161.24.249) on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 04:04 pm:

I think that the problem with The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame is evident in its name. Rock & Roll & R&B/Soul are not the same genre. I don't think that the critics of Rock & Roll, or the industry regard Soul/R&B in the same way that they do Rock & Roll. I feel that's the fundamental problem with the whole setup. Until they find a better way to go about this, several deserving artists will continue to be overlooked. They should consider renaming The Hall, or, add Soul/R&B to its title. That way, artists from both genres can be considered, without slighting desrving artists of both genres. What would be the ramifications of such an action?

By Tony Russi (68.18.235.252) on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 04:24 pm:

I like the Rythmn & Blues Hall of Fame better because thats the music I dig...However,Chubby Checker belongs in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as I beleive him to be more of a Rock act, same as Gary U.S.Bonds(who you never hear on these so called Oldies radio stations.)

By FrankM (81.152.61.29) on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 04:50 pm:

I gather that Chubby is now demanding a photo of himself in the Rock'Roll hall of fame before he is accepted into that body . Here's what he was demanding last year.

"This is my message to the Nobel Prize nominators and the nominators of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Should you choose me I'll consider it honorable. However, I have conditions for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

To Place the "Twist" symbol that's on Chubby Checker's Beef Jerky, this statue on top of a thirty foot or so pedestal in the courtyard of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. I would like to be alone thank you. I changed the business. I am often call the wheel that Rock rolls on as long as people are dancing apart to the beat of the music they enjoy. Before "Alexander Graham Bell" � no Telephone. Before "Thomas Edison" � no Electric light. Before "Dr. George Washington Carver" � no Oil from seed or cloning of plants. Before "Henry Ford" � no V-8 Engine. Before "Walt Disney" � no Animated cartoons. Before Chubby Checker � no "Dancing Apart to the Beat." What is "Dancing Apart to the Beat?" Dancing Apart to the Beat is the dance that we do when we dance apart to the beat of anybody's music and before "Chubby Checker" it could not be found!"

As a Chubby fan (and try entering that into a google search) I do have the feeling that if he was accepted into the hall of fame he would lose his annual bout of publicity for his still touring live show.;)

By bigdaddyg2k4 (205.138.54.26) on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 04:54 pm:

"The Twist" DOES get much airplay on the local oldies station in my area, probably more than other songs. I kinda understand to some lesser degree of why Chubby Checker is upset at the R&RHOF's hesitation of inducting his version of the song in the museum, but he has long established his legacy in the annals of American music by the 40-plus years the song has been played from radio, to t.v. and to movies. There are alot of legendary artists that don't even get an ounce of recognition that Chubby Checker has gotten over the years, so he should be happy and blessed that people still remember him and the song he made famous the world over to this day. Eventually, the hall will place Chubby's version in to the museum in the future, he just have to be patient a little while longer, that's all. No big deal in my book.

By Ron Murphy (68.42.90.140) on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 05:02 pm:

since they have such a wide variety of artists in there(like Johnny Cash) they should change the name to "The Music Hall Fame" which would make more sense.

By Tony Russi (68.18.235.252) on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 05:40 pm:

Johnny Cash was a great Country Music artist..but he is in the Rock Hall of Fame BEFORE Chubby Checker?Very sad indeed.

By Rodmann (12.223.170.105) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 12:25 am:

Since we're on the subject of Chubby Checker, does anyone know if he ever recorded any serious Soul music during his long career or has it all been just novelties and dance numbers? I'm also curious about his Buddah, Abkco and 20th Century Fox years during the late 60's and early 70's. I've never heard any of those sides. Was any of that serious Soul? I've always thought of Chubby as a Pop singer but now that I think about it he does have a Jackie Wilson sort of sound to him. Thanks.

By Tony Russi (216.78.189.78) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 09:23 am:

Thanks Rodman for mentioning the Buddah, Abko & 20th Century years for Chubby...no I don't really recall those records because after my preteen years I wasn't a Chubby Checker fan until I saw him perform in the 80's at the Central Florida Fair & I've seen him about 1/2 dozen times over the last 15 years or so.I do have a CD that has a bunch of Cameo Parkway stuff on it that didn't hit & I'll check it out to see what Chubby has on there.On stage Chubby has great Charisma and stage presence and can really sing.

By Rodmann (12.223.170.105) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 04:41 pm:

Hey Tony. I've seen some of Chubby's Buddah, Abko & 20th Century sides around from time to time but I didn't bother to pick any of them up. If I see one around again and the price is right I might buy it just out of curiosity.

Chubby played a casino here in Illinois that I used to deal table games at about 3 years ago. I didn't see the show myself but I remember a few co-workers telling me that Chubby was very nice and jovial. He also was interviewed by our local "Oldies" radio station.

By FrankM (81.152.61.29) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 07:30 pm:

The ABCKO releases were mostly cameo parkway re issues. Several were big on the Northern soul scene

AT THE DISCOTHEQUE
YOU JUST DONT KNOW
YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT BABY
AT THE DISCOTHEQUE
EVERYTHINGS WRONG.