Song:Cha Dooky-Doo
Album:Creole Kings of New Orleans
Art Neville is best known as the oldest of New Orleans music legends The Neville Brothers and the leader of The Meters. But some fans may not know that he attempted a solo career in the 50s and Cha Dooky-Doo was his biggest hit from that era. He was born Dec. 17, 1937 in New Orleans. In high school he formed The Hawketts and they had a regional hit with Mardi Gras Mambo in 1954. The Hawketts split up in 1955. Most of the members went on to college. But Neville continued his music career mostly as a session keyboard player. He was touring with Larry Williams and that led to a contract with Williams' label Specialty Records in 1957. He released a few singles including Cha Dooky-Doo in 1958 but none were more than regional hits and then Neville was drafted into the Navy Reserve and served for two years. You can get Cha Dooky-Doo on this various artists comp from Specialty. When Neville returned, he recorded for Instant Records. When brother Aaron Neville struck gold with the 1966 hit Tell It Like It Is, Art went on tour with him. Then he formed The Meters with Leo Nocentelli, George Porter Jr. and Joseph Modeliste. Art Neville's legacy was established by The Meters and he went on to even bigger things in the 80s with The Neville Brothers. So you may not know Art Neville's name but you should know his music. Here's a video for Cha Dooky-Doo by Art Neville.
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