Sunday, November 04, 2012

Record #0163: The Twist / Toot – CHUBBY CHECKER



Parkway 811 (original, 2nd pressing) USA, Jun. 1960
Words & Music by:  Side A – Hank Ballard; Side BKal Mann
Musicians:  Chubby Checker (vocals), Dave Appell (guitar), Joe Macho (bass), Ellis Tollin (drums), Buddy Savitt (sax), the Dreamlovers (backing vocals), Roy Stragis ? (piano), others unknown
Recording sessions:  Produced by Dave Appell in Philadelphia, PA, 1960
Highest chart positions: 1960 run: US #1, US R&B #2, UK #44; 1962 run: US #1, US R&B #4, UK #14

Supposedly this is the only single that has hit US #1 on two separate runs. This was a huge international hit, which basically launched the Twist dance craze (and Checker's career).

Hank Ballard recorded the original version of “The Twist” as the B side of “Teardrops on Your Letter” in 1959, but the success was moderate.

List price:  Very Good + is $10, Near Mint $20; white label with blue print (first pressing) is VG+ $15, NM $30

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