Duke of Earl Gene Chandler / STEREO SOUND

Thank you, my friend CPL Dave Hoover for posting the music video of Gene Chandler performing Duke of Earl
Background on U.S. Army veteran Gene Chandler born Eugene Dixon
"From 1962 to 1970 Gene Chandler put nineteen songs in the top forty, but he will always be known all over the world as the Duke of Earl, his first hit that topped the pop and R&B charts in 1962 and launched his career.
In 1957 Gene became a member of the Du-Kays, a rhythm and blues group with a strong rock and roll sound. After a stint in the Army and singing solo in the Army he returned to Chicago in 1960 and rejoined the Du-Kays. Bernice Williams, young music business manager heard the group perform and quickly agreed to manage the young group. She arranged an audition with Nat Records in Chicago and the Du-Kays were offered a recording
contract. Their first professional recording session was late in 1960, at which time they recorded "The Girl is Evil ".
They recorded " Nite Owl " and " Duke of Earl " in 1961. "Nite Owl" was recorded first and out for distribution when they recorded the Duke, but the creation of the Duke of Earl was a bit more unusual.
The Du-Kays would warm up by singing do-do-do-do- in various tones and pitches. Gene started singing duke--duke--duke and from there added fellow member "Earl" Edward’s first name to complete the phrase. He then began composing the lyrics on the spot. It worked so well and they were excited that this was a potential hit. They immediately sang the lyrics to Bernie who in turn added more lyrics. They recorded the Duke of Earl. But getting the "Duke of Earl" released however, was the hardest part. Nat Records released "Nite Owl", but was unable to get the distribution rights for "Duke of Earl".
Calvin Carter, A&R man with VeeJay Records absolutely loved the tune and especially liked Gene’s singing style. Carter was more interested in Gene alone than in the whole group sound and felt Gene could top the charts easier as a solo artist. While "Nite Owl" by the Du-Kays was shooting up the charts, VeeJay was holding back the release of the "Duke of Earl ", because Gene couldn’t decide to go solo or stay with the group that had a hit 45 on the charts. In January of 1962 Eugene Dixon became Gene Chandler, taking his last name from actor Jeff Chandler because he thought it had a romantic ring. Under Gene Chandler he released solo records while still under contract with the Du-Kays as Gene Dixon. The " Duke of Earl " was finally released and it sold a million copies in little over one month. It was a huge hit, Number 1 for three weeks in 1962. It dethroned the " Twist " from its Number 1 position.
Gene began to dress like the "Duke of Earl". He wore a monocle, cape, top hat and cane. Gene usually ended his concerts with the Duke in full dress, leaving the audience totally wanting more and for the most part he would go back and sing "Rainbow", a very successful R&B tune that was again his signature style. "Rainbow" is the only tune Gene recorded three times, once in 1963 again in "Rainbow Live 1965" with Constellation Records and then finally, "Rainbow 80" with ChiSound Records. Simply, all of his recordings on "Rainbow" were a tremendous smash. "Rainbow" was one of the songs that Curtis Mayfield of the Impressions wrote for Gene. In addition to "Rainbow", Curtis wrote "A Man’s Temptation", which Gene recorded around the same time while under contract with VeeJay. Gene’s collaboration with Curtis Mayfield proved to be a match made in heaven. Mayfield's songs made Gene a first-rate ballad singer. These soft, tender sexy love songs went over well in concert with Gene’s falsetto slides sent ripples of excitement through the ladies in his audience.
Gene then signed with Constellation Records in 1964 and ended his tenure at Constellation when they closed in 1966 and Chess Records purchased Gene’s songs. Gene’s manager, Carl Davis signed him with Brunswick Records at the same time. The two record companies ended up altering Gene’s record releases, one new single then a re-release of an older recording."
https://www.genedukeofearl.com/biography.html


Duke of Earl written by Bernice Williams, Eugene Dixon (Chandler's real name), and Earl Edwards.
Lyrics
"Duke, Duke, Duke, Duke of Earl
Duke, Duke, Duke of Earl
Duke, Duke, Duke of Earl
Duke, Duke, Duke of Earl
Duke, Duke, Duke of Earl
Duke, Duke, Duke of Earl
Duke, Duke, Duke of Earl
As I walk through this world
Nothing can stop the Duke of Earl
And you, you are my girl
And no one can hurt you, oh, no
Yes, I
Oh, I'm gonna love you
Oh, oh
Come on, let me hold you, darlin'
'Cause I'm the Duke of Earl
So, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
And when I hold you
You'll be my Duchess, Duchess of Earl
We'll walk through my dukedom
And a paradise we will share
Yes, I
Oh, I'm gonna love you
Oh, oh
Nothing can stop me now
'Cause I'm the Duke of Earl
So, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh
Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh
Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh
Oh, oh, oh
Well, I
Oh, I'm gonna love you
Oh, oh
Nothing can stop me now
'Cause I'm the Duke of Earl
So, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh
Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh
So, oh, oh, oh, oh
Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh"
FYI Sgt (Join to see) Col Carl Whicker COL Charles Williams MSG Andrew White SSG(P) James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. SFC William Farrell TSgt Joe C. SGT John " Mac " McConnell SP5 Mark Kuzinski PO1 William "Chip" Nagel SP5 Robert Ruck SCPO Morris Ramsey SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SP5 Jeannie Carle

Great song

SGT (Join to see) PO3 Bob McCord Maj Robert Thornton SPC Douglas Bolton Sgt Albert CastroCPL Dave Hoover SSG William Jones SGT Mark Anderson MSgt Robert "Rock" Aldi SGT Rick ColburnSFC Craig Dalen CW5 Jack Cardwell SCPO Morris Ramsey SFC Pete KainPO2 Rick Fox CWO3 (Join to see) Sgt Deborah Cornatzer TSgt David L. Sgt Vance Bonds PO2 John Zodun

Excellent lunchtime share, thank you brother Dave.