Was there a real Duke of Earl

Gene Chandler, the man known for singing and writing the hit song "Duke of Earl," will be performing a free concert in Streetsboro July 30 at 7:30 p.m. at Streetsboro City Park as part of Streetsboro Family Days.

In a phone interview with Streetsboro Family Days Entertainment Director Deborah Carothers, Gene Chandler recalled the day he wrote "The Duke of Earl."

"It was during a band practice," he said. "We were doing some vocal exercises and singing the syllables 'doo, doo, doo' across a common 'doo-wop' chord pattern. I said we should sing the word 'duke.'"

At that time, a very young Chandler did not know much about positions of royalty, but somewhere in the crevices of his memory he knew that England had a duke and an earl. Because one of the band members was named Earl he decided he would write about a "Duke of Earl." His manager loved the idea and suggested he add a line about walking through a "dukedom." He agreed and the song went to number one on the charts in 1961.

To help promote the song, the record company suggested that for all television and live performances of the song, Chandler should wear a costume that looked like something royalty would wear. The record company suggested a costume that resembled a "minuteman" outfit complete with red triangular hat, red jacket and white knee socks. After agreeing to try on the outfit and to be photographed, Gene looked at himself and said "no way" and confiscated the only negative of that photograph.

"No one will ever see that photo", Chandler said, "not as long as I'm alive."

Nixing the minuteman attire, Chandler opted for a red cape, monocle, and top hat. To this very day, Gene wears the same red cape whenever he performs "The Duke of Earl."

With the success of a number one hit record, Chandler had the opportunity to perform many shows with well-known entertainers, including a show at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York with Smokey Robinson and the Miracles and the Isley Brothers. Even though concertgoers were lined up outside in "Duke of Earl" costumes, there was a red carpet laid out for his entrance, and the promoter billed Chandler as the headliner, Chandler graciously asked Smokey Robinson and the Isley Brothers to close the show. Gene took the stage as the opening act and was a big hit with the Apollo crowd known for being a tough audience that will "boo" a substandard act off the stage.

"Smokey ended up having a hard act to follow!" Chandler said with a chuckle.

After "The Duke of Earl," Chandler had many lesser-known songs that made the charts, one of which was a song called "Rainbow." He recorded that particular song three different times, released it three separate times in three different decades and each release was a million-selling hit.

When asked what advice he would give to young people who want to pursue a career in music, Gene said, "I always stress the importance of education. Even if you 'make it' in the music business, there's no guarantee you will always be on top. You always need a Plan B so you can pay your bills."

For Gene, his plan B was starting a national real estate investment company he continues to own and operate.

Today, at age 70, Gene continues to perform regularly, not for the purpose of advancing a career, but rather for the love of performing.

"I love entertaining and I love the love and appreciation I receive from the people in the audience who come to hear me sing" Gene said, "and I get paid for it!"

Refers to a non-espresso drink often made at coffee/tea shops in the Seattle-Tacoma area. It consists of a small amount of vanilla syrup (dependent on the size of the cup), an earl grey tea bag with a small amount of water to steep the tea and steamed milk. It is a lightly flavored, creamy alternative to straight tea. It can be made with other flavors of tea or syrups, which it is then referred to as simply a "duke". It is also less popularly known as an "Earl Grey Latte" at the corporate coffeehouse Starbucks.

Full title is King Duke Lord of Earl - formally known as the King of England.

Invaded Neath on two occaisons in 1799 and 1999, both unfortunately bad losses for the duke.

The duke is the Messiah but the High Sheriff has not yet realised this -yet!

I have already put into motion plans to invade the duchy of Glamorgan and kill the High Sheriff, and make myself ruler of all Britannia.

I will then proceed to take the Sheriffs Promised One - Kate Talbot - he may die of a broken heart - hopefully :)

The city of Port Davies will be sacked and I will relegate Aberavon RFC to the 5th division - making Neath champions forever. then i will turn over the universities to the control of the EU. mwha ha ha haaaaaa!!!!

Following on from this i will blow up the Blodwen Buildings and burn down margam castle. the guardians will be my lowest slaves - carying out my evil wills.

The most horrific of plan is yet to be divised but i think i may invade the free city of Neath and make it up into a great city with great universities with a retail centre to rival oxford street. the greatest part of this city will be Cadoxton where i build a brand new Neath Abbey for worship of English greatness.

The Melyn will be torn down and in its place i will create a huge motorway to take people from this terrible place to the great kingdom of Earl!

I will build on the supposedly golden great sands of the Aberavon beach fronts - making them my places of evil pleasure.

while getting sucked off, babe pulls off and you accidently squirt bijism (man goo, sperm, cum, etc.) in your own mouth causing hours upon hours of gut renching vomiting

dude, last night was horrible i gave me self the duke of earl ... man, i need to drink more pinnaple juice

1: A person who will be there for someone inevitably.

2: Former king of England.

3: One of the greatest songs conceived by man. It's a staple oldie written by none other than the legendary Gene Chandler.

What does Duke of Earl refer to?

Who sang the original song Duke of Earl?

Where is Gene Chandler now?

When did Duke of Earl come out?