The King of “The Twist,” Chubby Checker and his band, the Wildcats, opened the summer concert series at Tioga Downs on Saturday evening, May 30. However, after completion of the fifth song, and waiting out a strong thunderstorm system, Tioga Downs’ officials announced the show was canceled due to weather. (Photos by JoAnn R. Walter)
Concertgoers lined up to meet Chubby Checker at a special meet-and-greet that was quickly pulled together after it was announced the show was canceled due to weather. Fans carrying Chubby Checker classic LPs, various memorabilia and concert ticket stubs, and others who purchased CD’s for sale or a photo op, waited patiently for the opportunity to meet Checker and grab his autograph or photo.
Legendary rock and roll artist, Chubby Checker, kicked off Tioga Downs’ summer concert series on Saturday evening, May 30 to a nearly sold-out crowd. The now 73-year old Checker opened the show, along with his band, the Wildcats, performing a string of high-energy tunes.
After just a few verses of the opening song, guests jumped out of their seats to dance and twist in the aisles to the upbeat music.
Decked out in denim, along with a black shirt embellished with sequined guitars, Checker’s powerful voice and dance steps energized the Tioga Downs concert area.
Cheers echoed throughout the venue as Checker sang his fifth song, a cover of the 1950’s rock and roll classic “Blueberry Hill,” which brought many in the crowd to their feet. After the song, Checker took a break to share, “It’s so wonderful to be here with all of you.”
Following five songs in the first set, the threat of strong thunderstorms was imminent. Tioga Downs’ officials asked guests to leave the concert area for their safety and wait inside until a determination was made about continuing the show. After allowing ample time to wait out the storm system, Tioga Downs’ officials made the decision to cancel the show due to weather.
To the disappointment of concertgoers, the “King of the Twist” did not get the opportunity to perform his phenomenal hit, “The Twist,” a two minute and 42 second song which took the world by storm in 1960, when Checker was a mere 18 years old.
Checker, who still lives in his native Philadelphia, met another music legend, Dick Clark, when he was in his teens, and set the world on fire when he appeared on “American Bandstand,” singing and dancing to “The Twist.” A string of subsequent hits followed for Checker, as well as many accomplishments and music milestones.
Checker had a huge impact and influence on how everyone danced to rock and roll, and this is an aspect that he believes often gets overlooked today. Checker commented in a phone interview prior to the Tioga Downs show, “That is what is still here today.”
Checker continues performing live shows throughout the country, and remains a fan favorite five decades later. So much so that Tioga Downs concertgoers lined up to meet Chubby Checker at a special meet-and-greet that was quickly pulled together after it was announced the show was canceled.
Fans carrying Chubby Checker classic LP’s, various memorabilia and concert ticket stubs, and others who purchased CD’s for sale or a photo op, waited patiently for the opportunity to meet Checker and grab his autograph or photo.
Mary Roper, Media Planner with Rosanne Sall Advertising, commented, “Chubby is one of most genuine, fun celebrities I have had the privilege to work with. I believe he did at least ten interviews with the print and electronic media, drove to Binghamton for a commercial shoot, and never turned anyone down. To me, that shows how he truly cares about his fans. At the age of 73, his enthusiasm for what he does comes through, and I think that is what still makes him so popular.”
For additional information about Tioga Downs and their summer concert series, visit their web site, tiogadowns.com, or find them on Facebook.
