Nothing Can Stop a Groovy Situation with the Duke of Earl
A few words on Gene Chandler and one of the biggest hits of the ’60s
“DUKE, DUKE, DUKE, DUKE OF EARL” is sometimes all that I can remember about Gene Chandler’s “Duke of Earl,” a surprise chart-topper from early 1962. Recorded in 1961, it’s a wonderful, kind of goofy record that came out of nowhere and, despite being a throwback to the recently departed doo-wop sound of the ’50s, it took the airwaves by storm.
Like so many hits of that era, it comes with a story: “Duke of Earl” was first recorded by the Dukays for tiny Nat Records of Chicago in 1960. The song was sung by Dukays member Eugene “Gene” Dixon, who ad-libbed the verses as he didn’t have the complete lyrics. The recording was not intended to be released but the owners of Vee-Jay Records heard it and bought the rights and the master tapes.
Vee-Jay wanted to release it immediately, but the Dukay’s second single “Night Owl” had been recently released and Nat Records didn’t want a new Dukays record on competing for airplay.
Vee-Jay offered singer Dixon a choice: they could release the single and credit him solely, but he would have to give up his place as lead singer of the Dukays. Or he could remain with the Dukays and the record would be given to another artist.
