When the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced Sunday night that Chubby Checker would be inducted into its ranks later this year, many fans of early rock ‘n' roll who'd assumed that the Hall would never reach back that far again were surprised and exultant that a longtime wrong was being righted.

Chubby Checker has finally been elected to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, but the pioneering musician still isn’t content. In a recent interview with Variety, Checker – who has been Hall eligible since 1986 – explained why he believes his career belongs among the greats.

The Queen Village native's hit – and dance move – swept the nation in 1960, fueled in part by his appearances on Dick Clark's 'American Bandstand.'