'Duke of Earl' Music Icon Gene Chandler Still Reins Supreme: A Look Back at His Famous Song's Origin

Photo bySingersroom.com

In 1962, the legendary pop song, "Duke of Earl," originally recorded by Gene Chandler, hit the #1 spot on the music charts. It's the most renowned of Chandler's compositions, and he subsequently coined himself The Duke of Earl. In 2002, the song, co-written with Bernice Williams, and Earl Edwards, was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. It's also listed by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as one of the 500 Sings that Shaped Rock and Roll.

The Sounds of His Music Beginnings

Gene Chandler once offered a free concert in Streetsboro at the Streetsboro City Park as part of Streetsboro Family Days. Chandler composed "The Duke of Earl" during a band practice. He and his fellow bandmates were engaging in a few vocal exercises, singing the syllables like "doo, doo, doo" across a common "doo-wop." At one point, Chandler suggested they somehow include the word "duke."

In his youth, Chandler was not familiar with the various levels of royalty. However, he was aware that England had a duke and an earl.

As fate would have it, one of his bandmates was named Earl. When Chandler decided to write the iconic song, his manager was thrilled with the idea and suggested adding a line regarding walking through a "dukedom."

Chandler agreed, and in 1961, the "Duke of Earl" soared to the top of the charts.

Lasting Impressions

More times than not, the creation and subsequent success of any endeavor, be it a song, TV show, or consumer product, is usually the result of a group effort, as was the case with the "Duke of Earl."