Legends of Doo-Wop and Rock N Roll Vol II

In 1957

Gene Chandler became a member of the Du-Kays, a rhythm & 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 

Gene 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 “.

In 1961

They recorded ” Nite Owl ” and ” Duke of Earl “. “Nite Owl” was recorded first, 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 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 Chandler 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. “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.

In 1964

Gene then signed with Constellation Records 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.

Finally, tired of the road and no viable new hits, Gene turned his attention to the business end of the industry. After all his successes, Gene decided to put his energy into producing, arranging and hyping other acts. Gene formed two music-publishing companies, a production company and was President of Bamboo Records. Gene’s biggest hit at Bamboo was ” Backfield in Motion” by Mel and Tim in 1969. Gene selected this song, cut it and sold a million copies.

In 1970

Gene signed with Mercury Records and recorded “Groovy Situation”. The strength of both of these tunes got him nominated for “Producer of The Year” Award. Gene won the NATRA award in Houston, Texas in August of 1970. He beat Norman Whitfield, producer of the Temptations and Gamble and Huff of the Philadelphia sound for the award, an astounding accomplishment considering the popularity of the Detroit and Philly revolution in that time period.

” Groovy Situation ” was a top hit that summer, selling another million. Gene’s disco hits were extremely popular in the UK in the 70s and 80s and Gene collaborated with Reggae star ” Johnny Nash ” in London. “Get Down”, another million-seller absolutely rocked the disco revolution. Gene was with Chi-Sound Records, as Executive vice-president under the direction of Carl Davis at the same time “Get Down” was recorded. Back in high demand, Gene ended up back on the road to perform on the concert circuit, with notable ” Wolfman Jack’s ” Oldies Tour and extensively performing solo in the Northeast, Las Vegas and in California, and of course in Chicago.

Today, Gene still lives in Chicago and attributes his success to his faith in God. His romantic performance style along with his superbly rich voice still makes him a hot number and fabulous performer to contend with. He still packs them in decades later—– Nothing can stop the Duke of Earl. Nothing.. and he’s doing just fine.

 

In 2005, Mr. Turner received The Lifetime Excellence in Entertainment presented to him by consumer’s entertainment exchange and Doo Wop Hall of Fame.

In 2009 Sonny Turner was inducted into the Pacific Avenue of the Stars in Wildwood New Jersey.  In 2008 he received The Gateway Classic Lifetime Achievement Award. He received the Black Music Award in 2007. Sonny has been inducted into the Beach Music Hall of Fame and Vocal Group Hall of Fame. He is recognized by the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame in his hometown Cleveland, Ohio. Sonny was instrumental in getting the truth in music laws passed in the state of Nevada and North Dakota.

Sonny Now

In 2013, Sonny’s home state, The State of West Virginia and Senator A James Manchin, honored Sonny Turner with a plaque and inducted him into the Hall of Fame.

There is only one surviving member of The Platters still alive today that can be heard on the hundreds of recordings and hit records that made The Platters one of the most successful vocal groups of all time, and that is Sonny Turner. Sonny remained with The Platters from late 1959 until 1970 when he left to pursue a solo career.

Today Sonny continues to perform all over the world.

It was 1955 when Larry’s family moved to the Bronx. NY. Here is where he formed the Earls in 1957. Since then, the Earls have gone on to achieve numerous accolades including nominations to the vocal group Hall Of Fame,  the Atlantic City entertainer oF the year awards, the Doo-wop Hall Of Fame and the Bronx Walk Of Fame. Larry is the quintessential performer, Mr. Entertainment!

Name & Hits

In late 1958

In the late ’80s

In late 1991

In May 1992 

Jimmy Clanton’s is known for Doo-wop hits such as Just a Dream, Ship on a Stormy Sea, My Love Is Strong, Letter to an Angel, A Part of Me, My Own True Love, Venus in Blue Jeans, Darkest Street in Town, Go Jimmy Go  and Don’t Look at Me. Clanton had appearances on American Bandstand and reached Billboard Pop Chart Top 10 multiple times in his career.

Singing & Acting

After the success of their 1960 hit single, “Diamonds and Pearls,” The Paradons eventually dissolved. This left Charles Weldon to work a series of odd jobs and performing with the soul group, Blues For Sale. Then he discovered his love of acting. His sister & actress Ann Weldon introduced him to the theater group Dialogue Black/White, which was producing Oscar Brown, Jr.’s Big Time Buck White. After appearing in the musical Hair at Geary Theater in San Francisco, Charles Weldon accepted Brown’s offer to go to New York City. Here he performed in the renamed Buck White, starring Muhammad Ali in his only Broadway appearance. In 1970, Weldon joined the three-year-old Negro Ensemble Company and performed in Joseph Walker’s Ododo. In 1973, he starred in Paul Carter Harrison’s The Great MacDaddy and played “Skeeter” in Joseph Walker’s The River Niger.

Movies & Television

The 1976 film version of this play had him appearing alongside stars James Earl Jones and Cicely Tyson. Weldon also appeared in several other Hollywood movies including the caper Who’s Minding the Mint? His film credits include Serpico (1975), Stir Crazy (1980), Fast Walking (1982), Spike Lee’s Malcolm X(1992), and The Wishing Tree (1999). Throughout his film career, Weldon continued to perform with the Negro Ensemble Company, acting in Charles Fuller’s A Soldier’s Play in 1981. He appeared in several television mini-series, including A Woman Called Moses(1978) and Roots: The Next Generation (1979). His television credits also include Sanford and Son, Hill Street Blues, Kojak, St. Elsewhere, L.A. Law, and Law & Order.

In 2004, Weldon was named the artistic director of the Negro Ensemble Company. Under his guidance, the company averted bankruptcy, eliminated its debt, and expanded its educational mission. Additionally, Weldon directed Leslie Lee’s Blues in a Broken Tongue, Jimmy Barden’s Offspring, Samm Art-Williams’ The Waiting Room, and Layon Gray’s WEBEIME. Weldon also produced the Negro Ensemble Company’s Sundown Names and Night-Gone Things.

Co-founder of the Negro Ensemble Company, Inc.’s Alumni Organization, Weldon received the Audelco Award for best supporting actor. He also received the Remy award for best leading actor, and the 2006 Henry Award for the Best Supporting Actor in August Wilson’s Gem of the Ocean.

Charles Weldon lives in New York, New York.