Hank Ballard wrote and recorded "The Twist" in 1958 ... Chubby Checker made a cover version in 1959 ... but it bombed.

Checker's version gained some audience in 1960 ... but only as a hit song ... not as a dance.

In late 1961 ... Checker recorded "Twist Again (Like You Did Last Summer)" which became a hit song and a new dance novelty. "The Twist" was then re-released and became a smash hit song ... and a national dance craze.