Fabulous 50s Weekend Set in Wildwood

WILDWOOD — The Greater Wildwood Chamber of Commerce is excited that Chubby Checker will return to as the headliner for the seventh annual Fabulous ’50s Weekend.
The Fabulous ’50s Concert will take place at The Oceanfront Arena in The Wildwoods Convention Center Sat. Oct. 16th.
Also scheduled to perform their top 40 Twist songs are Dee Dee Sharp ~ Slow Twistin, Joey Dee and The Starliters ~ Peppermint Twsit and The Marvelettes ~ Twistin Postman.
Little is known today about Wildwood’s role in music history, but the beach resort was the epicenter of Rock and Roll innovation in the 1950s and early ’60s. Bill Haley and His Comets made music history in 1954 with their live debut of “(We’re Gonna) Rock Around the Clock” at the HofBrau Hotel in Wildwood.
Then in July of 1960, 19-year-old Chubby Checker (born Ernest Evans) revolutionized popular dancing when he stepped onto the stage at the Rainbow Club and put his own carefree “spin” on “The Twist,” a song written and recorded by Hank Ballard two years earlier.
Less than a month later, on Aug. 6, 1960, Checker performed “The Twist” on Dick Clark’s nationally televised Saturday evening program, and launched a national craze. The single rocketed to number one during the autumn of 1960, remaining on the charts for four months.
It hit number one again in late 1961; the only record ever to enjoy two stays at the top more than a year apart.
The concert is the centerpiece of a weekend celebration of the 1950s and Wildwood’s rock and roll heritage. Many special events are being planned in celebration of Chubby Checker and the first performance of “The Twist”. This will be the only performance in The Wildwoods by Chubby Checker during the 50th Anniversary yearlong celebration.
Other highlights include a Friday night record hop with the “Geator” Jerry Blavat, who is also celebrating his 50th anniversary in the music industry. A Saturday street fair with live music, contests and food vendors; DooWop architecture tours; a display of ’50s and ’60s cars; and more.
Not finished yet with your love of ’50s music, on Sunday afternoon, one last musical event will take at Fox Park. More information is available by phone at 609-729-4000 and online at www.gwcoc.com.
The Fabulous ’50s Weekend will take place Oct. 15 – 17.