Hank Ballard
American singer-songwriter, 'The Twist'

Born
November 18th, 1927
97 years ago
Died
March 2nd, 2003
22 years ago — 75 years old
Category
Artists & Creatives
Country
United States
Links & References
An American singer-songwriter, significant contributions came to the rhythm and blues genre in the 1950s and 1960s. Ballard's music was characterized by its engaging melodies and danceable rhythms. The hit song 'The Twist' became a cultural phenomenon, popularizing the dance craze of the same name and influencing the music scene of that era. Ballard's work laid the foundation for future artists and the evolution of various musical styles, particularly in the rock and roll genre.
Wrote and performed 'The Twist'
Influenced the rhythm and blues genre
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