Rock and Roll legend Chubby Checker has decided to skip his own induction ceremony at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, opting instead to perform a concert on the night of November 8.
The 83-year-old “The Twist” singer made his intentions clear during a July 27 concert in Des Plaines, Illinois. “We’re not coming. We have a gig,” Checker told the crowd, explaining his preference for performing live rather than attending a televised ceremony.
“Chubby goes to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, he’s an old guy, he’s probably retired, he’s not doing anything. Maybe he has crutches and he’s coming to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame to get his little award and go back home,” he went on to say.
“I said, ‘No. Let’s be doing a show like I’m doing today.’ This shows that I’m alive and well and the audience is wonderful, and my dream is still being fulfilled, and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is happening all at the same time.”
The Rock Hall has already accommodated Checker’s decision, presenting him with his induction trophy at the Illinois concert, four months ahead of the official ceremony, according to a story published on Ultimate Classic Rock.
Checker’s has had a complicated relationship with the Rock Hall. In 2002, he publicly stated he deserved a statue at the Cleveland-based museum for his trailblazing career.
While expressing happiness about his upcoming induction this May, he told Variety he still believes he should have a statue and receive more airplay alongside other Hall of Fame artists like Billy Joel, The Beatles, Elton John and Fleetwood Mac.
The 2025 Rock Hall class includes other notable inductees such as Joe Cocker, Cyndi Lauper, OutKast, Bad Company, Soundgarden, and The White Stripes. Salt-N-Pepa and Warren Zevon will receive the Musical Influence Award.
The ceremony will stream live on Disney+ and be available on Hulu the following day.
Checker, whose hit “The Twist” topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart in both 1960 and 1962, maintains an active performing career that includes other classics like “Pony Time” and “Limbo Rock.”
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