Checker was born Ernest Evans. He assumed his stage name in 1959 after he had been compared to Fats Domino.
The Twist was so popular that his public did not allow him to sing any other style of music. Checker later lamented:
...in a way, The Twist really ruined my life. I was on my way to becoming a big nightclub performer, and The Twist just wiped it out. It got so out of proportion. No one ever believes I have talent.
In 1964, he married Catharina Lodders, who had been Miss World in 1962.
His hit songs include: