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the epiclectic - June 30, 2004 |
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If you didn't already know, I collect vinyl records. During one of my recent treasure hunts, I uncovered a copy of Parkway's "Your Twist Party With The King Of Twist Chubby Checker", from 1962, in pretty nice shape. As I cataloged the album, I enjoyed reading the 42-year old cover notes, and reflected on how times have changed. Enjoy this flash from the past.
The youngsters of America have again assumed the entertainment initiative with their development of The Twist and their elders are now adopting it with an avidity that indicates this form of shakes may become the new terp mania on a worldwide basis. First indications that The Twist is being picked up universally are seen in New York where mature elements are coming into storefront cafes in the roles of voyeurs and as infrequent participants. Its become a sporty thing to do -- watch youngsters dance The Twist to the rock 'n' roll rhythms by two live combos, five men each, who play uninterruptedly. Watching the teensters gyrate to the wild and athletic rhythms of The Beat appears to be a new kick. The kids leap uninhibitedly in frenzied twist wherein the derriere is flung widely and wildly in one of the most interesting -- to put it mildly -- terp developments in the last decade. The Twist is done without visible means of communication by the dance partners. They swing out with emphasis on the hips, although all other parts of the body are involved in the process. The kids appear to enjoy it as a fun-dance, and indeed for many it is fun to watch. The dancers are separated, they rarely touch each other during the dance, but yet maintain a kind of symmetry, and there's the constant complementing of each other's movements. It has been seen in tamer version on video in the sundry deejay dance shows. I recall my parents having a few parties with their friends, and after a few beers, cranking up the record changer and twisting the night away in the living room - while my sister and I were sent to our rooms and instructed to "leave the adults alone". I guess we were a bit too young to witness this sort of raucous and lascivious behavior. In fact, this made it all the more intriguing to me. Today, all one has to do is turn on cable to witness the latest "terp mania" in high-definition, digitally-enhanced, wide-screen flat-panel splendor as this generation's teensters gyrate to the wild and athletic rhythms, flinging their derrieres widely and wildly. Not much has changed. Thank goodness. |
When
Did You Last Twist?
