Chubby Checker, the legendary rock and roll performer who taught America to dance the Twist, will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In July, the Rock Hall awarded Checker his trophy at a live performance in Illinois. He recently said a live gig in November will prevent him from being at the induction ceremony.

A rock and roll survivor, Checker succeeded as an African American singer in difficult times. He played at racially segregated clubs in the Deep South. He feared some fans would not like his interracial marriage to Miss World 1962, a famous Dutch model.

“The Twist,” enthusiastically sung by Checker, was a No. 1 hit record in 1960 and 1961. America has been dancing the Twist with Checker ever since.

In 1960, in segregated Alabama, my white parents danced the Twist

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