Duke of Earl
"Duke of Earl" | ||||
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R&B, doo-wop | ||||
Length | 2:27 | |||
Label | Vee-Jay | |||
Songwriter(s) | Gene Chandler, Earl Edwards, Bernice Williams | |||
Producer(s) | Bill Sheppard | |||
Gene Chandler singles chronology | ||||
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Peach colored vinyl | ||||
"Duke of Earl" is a
Original version by Gene Chandler
The song originated from warm-up exercises by the Dukays, a vocal group that included Chandler (under his original name, Eugene Dixon) and Earl Edwards and that had already had some success on the
However, the Dukays' record label chose instead to release "Nite Owl," offering Dixon the option of releasing "Duke of Earl" as a solo artist. Dixon changed his name to Gene Chandler (a surname taken from that of the actor
Cover versions
The Pearlettes, a girl group, released a cover version of the song (as "Duchess of Earl") in 1962, reaching number 96 on the Billboard chart. Bobbie Smith and the Dream Girls also released an "answer song" titled "Duchess of Earl" in early 1962; however, the two songs are different in music and lyrics.[8]
Another cover was
In 1988, Australian harmony group "Dukes of Earlwood featuring Armondo Hurley" reached number 12 on the Australian charts with a cover of "Duke of Earl". The success of the song came after the popularity of a TV commercial for Decoré Shampoo which used an adaptation of "Duke of Earl" as its jingle.[citation needed]
References
- ^ "*The Official Website*". Genechandler.com. Archived from the original on March 11, 2014. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
- ^ ISBN 0-8118-3394-1.
- ^ "GRAMMY Hall Of Fame". Grammy.org. Archived from the original on February 19, 2011. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
- ^ "500 Songs That Shaped Rock & Roll". Scribd.com. Archived from the original on May 30, 2013. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
- ^ [1] Archived May 3, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
- ISBN 9780252065064.
- ^ "Gene Chandler - *The Official Website*". Genechandler.com. Archived from the original on March 11, 2014. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
- ^ Billboard - February 24, 1962 - Page 12 "BOBBIE SMITH and the DREAMGIRLS Answer the Duke With the "DUCHESS OF EARL" The hottest selling record in the country deserves an answer and this new exciting record is it! Bobbie Smith and the Dreamgirls deliver this ...!