The Dukays

The Dukays’ bright future dimmed only once record-company shenanigans did them in; their 1961 smash “The Duke of Earl” was acknowledged solely with their lead singer, Eugene Dixon (aka Gene Chandler), who still left the group after it had been re-released on another label. One of the most well-known groupings on Chicago’s south aspect (the Englewood community), the Dukays contains Dixon, Shirley Jones (tenor/soprano), Adam Lowe (second tenor), Earl Edwards (baritone), and Ben Broyles, the memorable bass on “Duke of Earl.” Songwriter Bernice Williams befriended the Englewood feelings and became their primary songwriter if they shortly agreed upon with Nat Information. The group’s initial single, “THE LADY Is certainly a Devil,” marketed locally and do just a little business beyond Chicago in 1961. These were showstoppers live: everything about them was thrilling, specifically Shirley Jones (Dixon’s cousin), who stepped and blew records right combined with the fellows, nearly a funky model from the Platters. In Dec of 1961, Nat released their third one, “The Duke of Earl” b/w “Kissin’ in your kitchen,” and everything hell broke loose. By the next month, a offer was consummated with Vee Jay Information, who re-released “Duke of Earl” and acknowledged it to Gene Chandler (he followed the surname from professional Jeff Chandler and folks often shortened his initial name in any case). The Dukays experienced slighted, abused, and mistreated. Vee Jay didn’t re-record the track, but merely slapped their label on fresh pressings around the Nat acetate. As appeasement, Vee Jay authorized the group to another offer and reissued their second solitary “Nite Owl.” Charles Davis (aka Nolan Opportunity) changed Chandler and Margaret “Cookie” Rock required over for Shirley Jones, who quit. Vee Jay released three singles from the Dukays, two in 1962 and one in 1963, but non-e of these clicked. They made an appearance uncredited on some of Chandler’s solos, before he turned to Constellation Information, the label that produced him an R&B icon. Almost two years exceeded prior to the Dukays surfaced in November 1964 around the Jerry-O label with “The Jerk.” The brand new group presented Claude McRae (business lead), Richard Dixon, Earl Edwards, and Wayne Lowe. In 1965, Jerry-O, possessed by Jerry J. Murray, released the ultimate Dukays solitary, “Mellow-Fezneckey” b/w “Sho-Nuf M.F.” (a scandalous name for the changing times); neither do much business plus they disbanded. Nolan Opportunity recorded single for Constellation and additional brands, while Chandler carved a stellar single career.