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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZCHANDLER, Gene(b Eugene Dixon, 7 July 1937, Chicago) Soul singer. He was lead singer of the Dukays; then his first chart entry as a solo artist was no. 1 both pop and R&B: 'Duke Of Earl' '62 owed much to doo-wop with its 'dook, dook, dook' chorus. Both song and singer were discovered by Carl Davis (b 19 September 1934, Chicago; d 9 August 2012, Summerville SC), who remained a mover and shaker in Chicago soul for decades. Chandler's visual gimmick was a ducal outift including a monocle, top hat, cane and cloak; he also benefited from the writing and production skill of Curtis Mayfield, who wrote Chandler's hit 'Rainbow' (Vee-Jay '62) and others. His follow-ups on Vee-Jay were not as sensational, and he switched to Constellation for crossover hits '64-5 including top 40 'Just Be True', 'Bless Our Love', 'What Now', 'Nothing Can Stop Me'. Duets with Barbara Acklin ('From Teacher To The Preacher', no. 57 pop '68), Jerry Butler ('Ten And Two') were very popular in the soul market; he re-entered the pop chart with no. 12 'Groovy Situation' '70 on Mercury, switched to Mayfield's Curtom label '72; had consistent success in late '70s disco boom with chocolate-brown vocals on series of dance records more popular in UK than USA, incl. 'Get Down', 'When You're Number 1' '79, 'Does She Have A Friend' '80, all produced by Davis on his Chi-Sound label, of which Chandler was executive vice-president. He had also managed and produced groups on his own Bamboo label ('Backfield In Motion' '69 by Mel and Tim, no. 3 soul chart); the hectic pace led to a drug problem and he served a short time in jail '76. Album Your Love Looks Good To Me '85 on Fastfire was a third stab at chart fame, already assured since 'Duke Of Earl'. |