Chubby Checker Releases Greatest Hits Album

At age 66, American Singer/Songwriter Chubby Checker is still going strong. Chubby Checker has a two-disc greatest hits album entitled "All The Best." The album will include classic hits like Jingle Bell Rock, Pony Time, and Let's Twist Again. He will also include his newest song Knock Down the Walls. Chubby Checker will appear in store and in concert at the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame on Wednesday July 23.

Chubby Checker is the stage name for Ernest Evans. He grew up in South Philadelphia and attended high school with Frankie Avalon and Fabian. He took the name Chubby Checker after an appearance on American Bandstand. Chubby Checker is the only artist to ever have five albums in the Top 12 at once. Chubby Checker forever altered the world of dance with his hit The Twist. Yet The Twist was a mixed blessing for Chubby Checker. It became so popular that audiences did not allow him to sing any other style besides Rock 'n Roll.

Chubby Checker Releases Greatest Hits Album: Chubby Checker and Other Artists

Depending on the artist, greatest hits albums tend to serve as a primer for new listeners, revive a career, or act as a swan song for an aging artist. Elton John released a Greatest Hits album of songs from 1972-2002. In his case, Elton John is still quite popular so his album functions as a primer to introduce new listeners to his music.

In 2000, Paula Abdul released a Greatest Hits album, but it served more as a swan song, as her singing career had waned by 1995. In 2000, former Commodore Lionel Ritchie deviated from the greatest hits route by releasing Renaissance, an album of entirely new material. While Ritchie sought to reinvent himself as an artist, the public was unable to embrace the new Ritchie.

Ray Charles' final album of 2004, containing both old and new material was unique in functioning as a swan song and a career revival. Although Charles was in the final months of his life, that album gave him his first Billboard hits in over twenty years.