Editing Chubby Checker (section)

== The Twist Phenomenon ==

"The Twist" reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in September 1960, but its impact extended far beyond typical hit records. The dance that accompanied the song—simple enough for anyone to perform, without requiring partners or learned steps—democratized dancing in ways that transformed popular culture. Adults who had not danced in years joined teenagers on dance floors, while the Peppermint Lounge and other clubs became destinations for celebrities and ordinary citizens alike seeking to participate in the phenomenon.<ref name="jackson"/>

The song returned to number one in January 1962, an unprecedented achievement that reflected renewed interest as the twist craze continued expanding. This second chart run demonstrated the dance's penetration into mainstream culture, reaching adults and Europeans who had initially dismissed rock and roll as teenage music. Checker's recording had sparked a cultural shift that no subsequent dance craze quite matched, its influence extending from social dancing to how the entertainment industry understood the relationship between records and dances.<ref name="dawson"/>

Checker followed "The Twist" with recordings designed to capitalize on the dance craze format, including "The Hucklebuck," "Pony Time" (another number one), "Let's Twist Again" (a Grammy winner), and "Limbo Rock." These recordings maintained his visibility while demonstrating both the possibilities and limitations of the dance-record format. His association with a particular era meant that changing fashions would eventually reduce his prominence, though the twist's place in cultural history was secured.<ref name="jackson"/>