Streamingoldies > Memories Medley > The Twist Medley

The Twist Medley

November 10, 2020Memories Medley

We’re going to shake off the doldrums of the past few months by throwing a party … a Twisting Party!

It goes without saying that Chubby Checker is the name most closely associated with the dance craze so four of the songs below feature him (including a rarity with Bobby Rydell) but there’s a lot more! 🙂

Memories … That’s What We’re All About

Play button is on the left … Volume slider is on the right

The Twist Medley

Chubby Checker – Joey Dee & The Starliters
Sam Cooke – Chubby Checker – Beatles
Chubby Checker & Bobby Rydell – Dire Straits
Chubby Checker & Dee Dee Sharp – Elton John
The Traveling Wilburys

Comments (10)

  1. Don Doyle

    Hi Ray, looks like a lot of Philly going on today. Chubby, Bobby and Dee Dee all hometown heroes. Two facts that I am sure you already know. Chubby’s version is a cover of a Hank Ballard tune. Also, Dick Clark was involved and the name, Chubby Checker is a play on Fats Domino. The story goes that he was working as a chicken plucker in a live poultry store.
    I remember going to the movies to see Hey, Let’s Twist starring Joey Dee & the Starlighters. Black & White and so exciting to a little kid. Joey has a genuine “Jersey” accent. Fun to hear on the big screen.
    Chubby, like Bobby never left the area and lives on the Main Line.
    Thanks Ray for bringing up some fun memories.

    1. Ray (Post author)

      Thanks, Don.
      I thought about your Philly background when I put this medley together.
      I almost played Hank’s version (and considering the fact I had 3 more Chubby songs, I probably should have). As I understand it, Dick’s wife had something to do with Ernest Evans becoming Chubby Checker.
      If nothing else, this medley was upbeat! 🙂

      1. Don Doyle

        After I posted this morning I went out for my morning bike ride. I could not stop thinking about the movie with Joey Dee. I looked it up and it was released in 1961. I was in 8th grade. I remember being so impressed by Joey’s appearance..He had medium/short hair combed back. Not a hair out of place. He wore a sharkskin suit that was tailored to fit just right. I don’t remember if the suit had lapels or not. I know Chubby didn’t have any use for lapels.
        I wanted that look. Not more boxie Robert Hall suits for me! Years later ZZ Top sang about the look with Sharp Dressed Man and Robert Palmer, who left us way too soon, epitomized the look perfectly. This of course was before the Beatles revolutionized everything!
        Memories of my formative years.

        1. Ray (Post author)

          Don, I always enjoy reading about your memories. I understand the “I want that look” memory. That is exactly how I felt the evening of February 9, 1964. 🙂

  2. Pat Conant

    My computer lost it’s voice so I missed a few medleys. Fixed by the Geek Squad so I’m listening again. Loved this medley, and had to get up & see if I could still twist!! The Willbury’s cracked me up.

    1. Ray (Post author)

      Thanks, Pat 🙂
      Good to have you back! I don’t suppose there are photos of you doing the twist, are there? 😉
      It was a fun medley to put together. Really glad you enjoyed that last song!
      Tomorrow’s medley will be a lot more somber, for obvious reasons.

  3. Wendyl

    Oh, how I wish I had tuned in earlier…when will I learn??? Today was a hard day among already challenging times. Me and mine are fine. All is good. Some workdays are more difficult than others and this was just one of them. Then I listened to the medley and I can feel the day melting off me. Seriously! Thank you!!! XOXOXOXO

    1. Ray (Post author)

      Better late than never, Wendyl ❤️

      I’m sorry it was a difficult day at work. By the way, tomorrow’s medley for Veterans Day is anything but peppy, as one would expect. It is very solemn and quite sad.
      I Love Ya, kid!
      XOXOXOXO

  4. Barbara Brill

    Opened facebook a few minutes ago and low and behold this is the first thing that was on my page — couldn’t be a better medley for a dreary day. When I hear Chubby Checker I think of Dick Clark – Saturday afternoons were great to listen and watch! This is a good time to look back and relive some of the memories of earlier simpler times. Thanks Ray -from the other comments it looks like it was good for everyone. Hope you Rocked the Day!

    1. Ray (Post author)

      Thanks, Barbara 🙂
      I do hope you got up and did the twist!
      Glad you enjoyed it and I hope it helped you to…
      ROCK THE DAY!

Comments are closed.