Philadelphia Dance Legend Chubby Checker Celebrating 69th Birthday

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The focus this weekend is on a music personality who brought more glory to the city of Philadelphia as center of the pop music scene during the 1950s.

He was born Ernest Evans in the deep South, but lived his early years in the projects and street markets of South Philadelphia, where by the age of eight he formed street corner harmony groups imitating popular entertainers.

"Chubby Checker" is the name he took to Dick Clark's TV show, "American Bandstand," located in Philadelphia at the time:

"We went on American Bandstand in 1959, when I was still in high school, and we did The Twist. The very next week the entire planet was dancing a part from the beat. When anyone goes on the dance floor, even today, and they're dancing to somebody's music with a beat, Chubby's there!"

This Sunday, October 3rd, Chubby Checker celebrates his 69th birthday.  Billboard magazine has named Chubby a legend in his time and his recording of The Twist the biggest chart hit of all time.

Reported by Bob Nelson, KYW Newsradio.

Photo by KYW's David Madden