Rumor always had it that he was a chicken-plucker in Philadelphia before he
made it big with "The Twist".
In 1962, the New York City Catholic Archdiocese forbade students in its schools to dance to Checker's "The Twist", saying that it was "un-Christian".
According to his guardian, in 1962 he earned approximately $200,000.
Had first charted hit with "The Class" (1959). which is noted for his
impersonations of Fabián Forte and Fats Domino.
On June 7th 1963. he headlined the only R n R concert given at NYCs Polo Grounds (1890-1963). The concert was followed, that evening, by a game between The New York Mets and The St. Louis Cardinals (The Mets won 3-2).
Attended Southern High School in Philadelphia, PA, where one of his classmates was Larry Chance, later to become lead singer of the rock group Larry Chance & The Earls.