Chubby Checker Skips Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction to Prove He’s “Still Alive
Jordan Collins here. Okay, I’ll explain, but try to keep up: Chubby Checker is skipping his Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony to prove he’s still performing — and yes, he told a crowd that very bluntly.
Ernest “Chubby” Checker, 83, told fans at a live show that he will not attend the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction gala in Los Angeles on November 8, 2025 because he already booked a gig for that date and plans to be on stage rather than sitting in an auditorium. The decision, he said, was deliberate: he wanted to demonstrate that he remains active, energetic, and able to perform for a real audience instead of merely accepting an award on television. Checker’s remarks were captured in video posted to social media on July 29, and they have since circulated alongside coverage of the Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025 announcement.
This year’s induction class, announced on April 27, placed Checker among a diverse group including Bad Company, Joe Cocker, Cyndi Lauper, Outkast, Soundgarden, and The White Stripes. Although Checker has been eligible for Rock & Roll Hall of Fame consideration since the institution’s inaugural 1985 class, the “The Twist” singer only received his first nomination — and induction — in 2025. The novelty of the late recognition seems to have influenced his choice: Checker said his manager booked the November 8 engagement before the Hall reached out, and when the Hall’s team called to coordinate attendance, Checker’s camp declined, telling them, “We’re not coming, we have a gig.”
Checker framed the decision as a statement about perception and vitality. He recounted to fans how he feared being portrayed as “an old guy” who shows up to accept a trophy, possibly shuffled on and off stage with a walking aid, then returned to retirement. Instead, he wants to be seen performing for a live crowd to prove he remains “alive and well.” “Chubby goes to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and they say ‘he’s an old guy, he’s probably retired, he’s not doing anything, maybe he has crutches,'” he mocked from the stage. “Let’s be doing a show like I’m doing today to show that I’m alive and well.”
This rationale taps into Checker’s legacy as the man behind one of pop music’s most enduring dance crazes. “The Twist” topped the charts in 1960 and has enjoyed long-term cultural recognition: Billboard once named it the “Hottest Single” of all time in 2008, a title later claimed by The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights” when Billboard revised its list in 2021. Checker’s induction closes a long loop: eligible since 1985, now finally acknowledged by the Hall, yet choosing to celebrate the honor on his own terms — from a stage rather than a televised ceremony.
It’s worth noting Checker is a Grammy winner and a cultural touchstone for early rock and roll and twist-era dance culture, making his absence notable for both nostalgic fans and Hall of Fame watchers. The 2025 ceremony is scheduled for the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles on November 8. As of now, there are no publicly listed events tying Checker to any particular venue that date, but his onstage proclamation and the social media video provide a direct, verifiable account of his intent.
Fans and industry observers can parse this two ways: as an independent artist asserting autonomy over how he’s celebrated, or as a cheeky PR move that keeps the spotlight on him even as the Hall formally honors his career. Either way, Checker has succeeded in turning his induction into an extension of his stage persona — all grit, no pity, and unmistakably showbiz.
So, yes, he’s being honest, a little theatrical, and stubbornly old-school about staying in front of a crowd. And if you were banking on a tearful speech broadcast on NBC, well, you probably should have known better.
Glad I could clear that up for you.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and New York Post, Social media video of Chubby Checker performance, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame announcement, Billboard
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
