Gene Chandler is remembered by the rock & roll audience almost solely for the classic novelty and doo wop-tinged soul ballad "Duke of Earl"; the unforgettable opening chant of the title leading the way, the song was a number one hit in 1962. He's esteemed by soul fans as one of the leading exponents of the '60s Chicago soul scene, along with Curtis Mayfield and Jerry Butler. Born Eugene Dixon, he was a member of the doo wop group the Dukays and "Duke of Earl" was actually a Dukays recording; Dixon was renamed Gene Chandler and the single bore his credit as a solo singer.

Chandler never approached the massive pop success of that chart-topper (although he occasionally entered the Top 20), but he was a big star with the R&B audience with straightforward mid-tempo and ballad soul numbers in the mid-'60s, many of which were written by Curtis Mayfield and produced by Carl Davis. Chandler's success became more fitful after Mayfield stopped penning material for him, although he enjoyed some late-'60s hits and had a monster pop and soul smash in 1970 with "Groovy Situation." His last successes were the far less distinguished disco- and dance-influenced R&B hits "Get Down" (1978) and "Does She Have a Friend?" (1980).

All Music Guide

Gene Chandler
A Little Like Lovin'
Ain't No Use
Anywhere But Nowhere (w/Barbara Acklin)
Baby That's Love
Bet You Never Thought
Big Lie, The
Buddy Ain't It A Shame
Everybody Let's Dance
Festival Of Love
From Day To Day
From The Teacher To The Preacher (w/Barbara Acklin)
Girl Don't Care, The
(Gonna Be) Good Times
Here Come The Tears
I Can Take Care Of Myself
I Can't Save It
I Hate To Be The One To Say
(I'm Just A) Fool For You
If You Can't Be True
Just Let Me Be
Kissin' In The Kitchen
Little Green Apples (w/Barbara Acklin)
London Town
Miracle After Miracle
Mr. Big Shot
My Love
No One Can Love You (Like I Do)
Nothing Can Stop Me
Pretty Little Girl
Show Me The Way To Go (w/Barbara Acklin)
Song Called Soul, A
Stand By Me
Teacher Teacher
To Choose
Wish You Were Here
You Can't Hurt Me No More
You Left Me