K-Chuck Radio: The Evolution of a Groovy Situation

Walk with me a little on this one. Because I’ll tell you how a regional doo-wop hit helped establish a 1970’s-era soul groove.

Let’s start in 1961, when a Chicago four-man, one-woman doo-wop quintet named the Dukays had their first regional hit, “The Girl’s a Devil,” on a tiny independent label. Pay attention to the lead singer’s voice. It’s quite strong. His name is Eugene Dixon.

That song did well enough that the Dukays returned to the studio to cut four more tracks for the Nat label, including their follow-up song “Nite Owl.” Again, Eugene Dixon is up front.

Again, more success. But Nat Records wasn’t going to create a national selling disc, so the group shopped their remaining tracks to other labels in Chicago, including the mid-major company Vee Jay Records. Vee Jay was one of the strongest R&B labels in Chicago, and would later have national success with tracks from the Four Seasons and the Early Beatles.

The track Vee Jay picked up from the Dukays featured the Dukays’ Eugene Dixon as strong as possible. But by this time, Eugene Dixon shortened his first name to “Gene,” and changed his last name to “Chandler.” And here’s the track that became their big hit.

Yes, I know you’re swaying back and forth in front of your screens right now, aren’t you?

“Duke of Earl” raced to #1 on the Billboard Pop and R&B charts, and Vee Jay Records pressed so many copies of “Duke of Earl,” at one point they pressed the record with credits to “The Duke of Earl” as the performer.

How popular was “Duke of Earl”? This is Gene Chandler performing “Duke of Earl” in a 1962 movie, Don’t Knock the Rock, lip-syncing to it while wearing a top hat, a black walking stick, and a shiny black cape.

But I’m not done with this story. Gene Chandler would have several more hits that dominated the 1960’s R&B charts; and in 1969, one more stellar track crossed over to the pop charts. Yep, this is an incredible soul groove called “Groovy Situation.” Not only is he the lead vocalist – he also produced the recording.

Oh, and one more. Eventually every classic 60’s song gets sampled in one way or another. And in Gene Chandler’s case, “Duke of Earl”‘s opening “Duke, duke, duke, duke of earl” is now the opening sample for a rap track. No kidding. Why else would I have Cypress Hill on K-Chuck Radio? 🙂

Not bad for a Chicago doo-wop group with a distinctive lead singer, who I understand is still out there, with his top hat and monocle and cape, performing at oldies shows at the young age of 85? Much honor and praise.

On K-Chuck Radio!