The first national hit records featuring the blending of country music and rhythm and bluesthe essence of early rock and rollcame out of Philadelphia in 1953 and 1954. New York: Oxford University Press, 2004. Another key element of the dance was the fact that it broke a dancing couple apart. He learned music from his father, an amateur country musician, and became a professional country and western musician. The trendsetters and celebrities that patronized the Peppermint Lounge in New York City discovered the dance and helped rekindle interest in Checker's version. Dick Clark was born and raised in Mount Vernon, New York. The Twist remains the only song of the modern era to rise to the Number One chart position in two separate releases, and based on chart performance it has been counted among the top singles of all time. The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time Dick Clark, looking to build his media empire, moved American Bandstand to Los Angeles. In the late 1960s, with his career at a low ebb, Checker put together a band and went on the road. Then Rock Around the Clock was featured prominently in Blackboard Jungle, a movie about juvenile delinquency that caused quite a stir when released in early 1955. Rock Around the Clock became a massive hit, the teenage anthem of the age. Rock and Roll (Early Years) - Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia Bill Haley: The Daddy of Rock and Roll. He further raised eyebrows by suggesting that a statue of himself, in mid-Twist, be erected in the hall's courtyard, insisting that if he was inducted, but not given a statue, he would turn down the award. Addresses: Manager Tony DeLauro, 1650 Broadway, Suite 1011, New York, NY 10019. beginning of 1962, it once again climbed to the top of the charts. The mural South Philly Musicians on East Passyunk Avenue honors Philadelphias early rock-and-roll history. ." Oddly enough, Checker lost a considerable amount of weight in just a few months time demonstrating the dance and was no longer "chubby"! Contemporary Musicians. Dick Clarks American Bandstand Didnt Originally Allow Soon Checker was interested in music and performing with a streetcorner-harmony group, the Quantrells. Encyclopedia.com gives you the ability to cite reference entries and articles according to common styles from the Modern Language Association (MLA), The Chicago Manual of Style, and the American Psychological Association (APA).
