Yesterday Once More

2 Jun 2015

Calypso and the Twist

Hi Listeners,

This week I’m going to look at two music phenomenona that swept the world in the late fifties and early sixties. Calypso was a style of music from Trinidad which gained prominence in the Western world in the late fifties and some people thought it would replace rock n roll! The Twist was a dance craze that swept across the Western world in the early sixties. Both had a prominent leader – in Calypso, Harry Belafonte was the dominant force and the Twist is mainly attributable to the songs of Chubby Chequer.

Belafonte’s iconic songs like ‘Banana Boat’ and ‘Island In The Sun’ popularised Calypso in the West. Chubby Chequer’s two big hits ‘The Twist’ and Let’s Twist Again’ likewise popularised the dance craze across the world. Both had many followers who cashed in on the crazes such as Terry Gilkyson and The Easy Riders (Marianne) and even our own Johnny Chester released a cover version of the Calypso song ‘Shame And Scandal’. Rock and Roll performers such as Danny And The Juniors (Twistin’ USA) and Gary US Bonds (Twist Twist Senora) also tried their hands at the new dance sensation.

So for something a bit different enjoy the Calypso songs and even join in with The Twist.

Playlist