Song:Duke Of Earl
Album:Nothing Can Stop Me: Gene Chandler's Greatest Hits
Most folks familiar with the 1962 hit Duke Of Earl probably look at Gene Chandler as a one hit wonder. But along with Curtis Mayfield and Jerry Butler he is one of the pillars of Chicago soul and has had a long career in music. Duke Of Earl was one of those happy accidents that happen sometimes in the music business. He was born Eugene Dixon July 6, 1937 in Chicago. In 1957 he became lead singer of a doo wop group called The Dukays. Dixon was drafted and was in the US Army in Germany for three years. He rejoined The Dukays upon his return and they released a single on Nat Records in 1961. Duke Of Earl was supposed to be the follow up single but Nat was unable to release it. Vee-Jay Records executive Calvin Carter heard the song but only wanted Dixon. He wasn't interested in the rest of the group. So Duke Of Earl was released as Gene Chandler and it was #1 on the pop singles chart for three weeks in 1962. Chandler appeared in the 1962 film Don't Knock The Twist and performs Duke Of Earl wearing top hat, tails and a monocle and carries a cane. Chandler wrote Duke Of Earl and I guess that opening hooks people. Chandler left Vee-Jay and recorded for Chess and Brunswick simultaneously in the 60s. He had R & B hits but had another top ten pop hit in 1970 with Groovy Situation on Mercury. He continued to have success on the R & B charts through the 70s as a singer and a producer of other artists. This Varese Sarabande comp covers Chandler's entire career. Gene Chandler still tours today. Here's Gene Chandler performing Duke Of Earl in the PBS special Doo Wop 50.
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