Chandler, Gene. “Duke of Earl.” Duke of Earl. Vee-Jay Records, 1961.
Hot 100 #1 for the weeks of February 17th, February 25th and March 3rd, 1962.
Much like MBube (The Lion Sleeps Tonight), this song originated from a warm-up exercise by the Dukays, a vocal group which included singers Gene Dixon and Earl Edwards. It started with singing, “do” in different keys. Over time the warm-up turned into, “Du..du..du..Duke of Earl” to include Earl’s name.
