With art
Twistin’ the night away
By TRACY BELL
tbell@insidenova.com
FREDERICKSBURG — Chubby Checker twisted his way onto the University of Mary Washington’s campus on March 4.
He entertained an excited audience at Dodd Auditorium, starting at 7:30 p.m.
There, fans could hardly contain themselves as they eagerly participated in the concert. At times, Checker asked fans to dance with him, sometimes one on one, sometimes in groups.
He came into the audience, shook hands and belted out many a familiar tune.
He sang some of his own songs and borrowed from a few others.
He may have made audience members nostalgic with songs like “Limbo Rock” and “The Mickey Mouse Song.” He belted out some Elvis Presley songs and even impersonated The King, showing off some of Presley’s shakin’ moves.
But what really got the audience going was Chubby Checker’s signature song, “The Twist.” Fans jumped from their seats and started to twist, while Checker did some twisting of his own. He called female audience members up onto the stage to twist with him.
Then, once you thought it might be over, it was time for “Let’s Twist Again.”
And it was the men’s turn to show off their moves on stage.
Meanwhile everyone in the audience was twisting on their own.
Chubby Checker, also known as Ernest Evans, was born in Spring Gulley, S.C., but grew up in South Philadelphia.
He recorded “The Twist” in 1959. A year later it was a hit.
More hit records soon followed, including “Let’s Twist Again,” “Pony Time” and “Limbo Rock.”
In 2010, the 50th anniversary of The Twist was celebrated.
Tracy Bell is managing editor of the Stafford County Sun. Reach her at tbell@insidenova.com.
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