Rock and Roll
The song “Limbo Rock,” which was written by Kal Mann (as Jan Sheldon) and Billy Strange, is about, well, limbo dancing. The first recording of the piece was an instrumental by The Champs (of “Tequila” fame) in 1961. The version by Chubby Checker, which has lyrics, became very popular in 1962, going to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, #1 on the Cash Box Chart, and #3 on the R&B Chart. Many other artists have covered the song, including Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass, Chet Atkins and Hank Snow, and The Ventures. It also is featured on various children’s music albums.
Chubby Checker was born Ernest Evans in Spring Gulley, South Carolina, in 1941, and grew up in Philadelphia. He is a singer, songwriter, performer, and TV personality. known for making the twist popular through his cover of Hank Ballard’s “The Twist.” (The professional moniker Chubby Checker was based the name Fats Domino. The story goes, it came about from a conversation between Dick Clark’s wife and Checker after he had been doing some impressions of singers, including Domino.) Chubby Checker continues to record and perform.
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[…] If you are interested in reading and listening to songs about The Twist, please click here for “Three Takes on the Twist.” Another song by Chubby Checker is “Limbo Rock.” […]