1959

THE TWIST * HANK BALLARD AND THE MIDNIGHTERS * KING 5171 * USA

Hank Ballard, a.k.a. John H. Kendricks, wrote and sung the first version of the song of the dance that became a phenomenal success for Chubby Checker the following year. Ballard, who died March 3, 2003, was philosophical and generous about Chubby Checker when asked in an interview for the New York Times about how he felt, "He beat me with my own sound. I never spent much time worrying about it, despite what people say. If I had, it would have eaten me up by anger."

RETURN TO THE GUYS WITH RHYTHM AND BLUES PAGE