Check Out How Your Favorite Musicians Stumbled Into Choosing Their Now-Iconic Names

Chubby Checker Wanted To Rival Fats Domino

Photo Credit: Scott Dudelson/Getty Images

Chubby Checker invented the twist, a dance move that’s kept alive on the dance floors of weddings and bar mitzvahs. The 1950s rocker’s dance moves were once a legitimate craze back in the days when Fats Domino dominated the airwaves.

Ernest Evans thought of his name to rival his contemporary Fats Domino, who had eleven top 10 hits between 1955 and 1960. Evans already had the nickname “Chubby” and decided to give himself the surname “Checker.” It was a brilliant move which helped launch the artist into massive success and pave the way for modern rock ‘n’ roll.