Gene Chandler
Gene Chandler, born Eugene Drake Dixon on July 6, 1937, in Chicago, Illinois, grew up in a family with a strong musical influence. He attended Englewood High School, where he developed his passion for music, forming a vocal group called the Gaytones in 1955. This early exposure to singing and group dynamics laid the groundwork for his future career in music.
Chandler began his professional career in the music industry in the late 1950s. He initially recorded under the name "Eugene Dixon" but later adopted the stage name Gene Chandler. His breakout came with his hit single "Duke of Earl" in 1962, which became an iconic track in the rhythm and blues genre. The song showcased Chandler's smooth vocal style and became a number one hit on the Billboard charts, establishing him as a prominent figure in the R&B scene during the 1960s.
Throughout his career, Gene Chandler has been recognized not only as a singer but also as a songwriter, music producer, and record-label executive. His contributions to music extend beyond performance; he has played a significant role in shaping the sounds of R&B and soul music. In addition to "Duke of Earl," Chandler released several other notable songs, including “Nothing Can Stop Me,” which further solidified his status in the music industry.
Chandler's influence in the music world is evident in his successful transition from a performer to a behind-the-scenes figure in music production. He earned accolades for his artistic contributions and has remained a respected name in the R&B genre. His work continues to inspire new generations of musicians and fans, treasured for its emotional depth and musical craftsmanship.
Gene Chandler's enduring legacy as "The Duke of Earl" remains a significant part of American music history, and he continues to be celebrated for his contributions to the art form.
Gene Chandler ’80
Written-By – Bob Stone, Mark Gibbons
4:12
A2 Lay Me Gently
Written-By – Albert Thompson, Barbara Acklin
4:45
A3 All About The Paper
Written-By – Clarence McDonald, Lowrell Simon
4:39
A4 Rainbow '80
Written-By – Curtis Mayfield, Eugene Dixon
5:26
B1 Do It Baby
Written-By – James Thompson
3:35
B2 You've Been So Sweet To Me
Written-By – Eva Dixon, Lena Thompson
4:27
B3 I'll Be There
Vocals [Duet With] – Joni Berlmon
Written-By – Eugene Dixon, James Thompson
3:34
B4 Let Me Make Love To You
Written-By – Eugene Dixon, James Thompson
Label: 20th Century Fox Records
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1980
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Eighties Soul, Disco
Gene Chandler – '80 is a well-regarded 1980 modern soul album that effectively updates the Chicago soul legend's sound with contemporary, slicker production. Featuring standout tracks like "Does She Have a Friend?" and "Rainbow '80," the album is praised for its quality arrangements by figures like Tom Tom 84.
The album is characterized as modern soul, blending Chicago soul, funk, and disco influences.
Track Highlights: "Does She Have a Friend?" is frequently highlighted as a "two-step" classic. A notable update of his hit "Rainbow" is also included, titled "Rainbow '80".
The album is considered a strong effort that holds up well, with some listeners rating it highly for its, engaging,, danceable,, and well-produced, tracks.
Released during a period when many classic soul artists were adapting to, the, late-'70s/early-'80s sound. The album is often, described as a must-have for 70s and 80s soul collectors.
Reviewers often describe it as a "fire" album that deserves more attention than it receives. While it is far removed from his 1960s doo-wop prime, it is seen as a successful effort by a legacy artist to stay relevant in the changing musical landscape of the early '80s.
hile it didn't reach the chart-topping heights of his debut single, it remains a favorite for those who appreciate the evolution of Chicago soul into the disco-adjacent "modern soul" era.
The Girl Don’t Care
Written-By – Curtis Mayfield 2:50
A2 You Can't Hurt Me No More
Written-By – Curtis Mayfield 2:30
A3 Fool For You
Written-By – Carl Davis, Gerald Sims 2:30
A4 Here Comes The Tears
Written-By – Gerald Sims 2:32
A5 Good Times
Written-By – Curtis Mayfield 2:20
A6 The Girl Don't Care
Written-By – E. Dixon, K. Lewis 2:36
B1 To Choose
Written-By – Butler, Davis, Leavill 2:25
B2 Bet You Never Thought
Written-By – Robert Miller 2:30
B3 Baby That's Love
Written-By – Eugene Dixon, Shirley Johnson 2:30
B4 Buddy Ain't It A Shame
Written-By – B. Strong, S. Saunders 2:35
B5 No One Can Love You (Like I Do)
Written-By – B. Strong 2:30
B6 My Love
Written-By – B. Butler, C. Davis, O. Leavill 2:34
Label: Brunswick – BL 754124
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1967
Genre: R&B Soul, Rhythm & Blues
Style: Sixties Soul
Gene Chandler's The Girl Don't Care (1967) is a solid soul album, especially for Northern Soul fans, blending his earlier Constellation hits with new Brunswick tracks, showcasing classy, moody production (like jazz-infused covers) and strong vocals, proving he was more than just "Duke of Earl," but this album highlights his versatility in a sweet spot of his career.
The album cleverly mixes older singles from the defunct Constellation label with new Brunswick recordings, giving it a retrospective feel of his best work around that time.
Tracks like "Nothing Can Stop Me" made it a favorite for Northern Soul DJs, appealing to fans of upbeat, quality soul.
Despite being released in '67, some tracks, like a reimagined "I Wake Up Crying," feature sophisticated, jazzy arrangements with sax and piano that foreshadowed later soul-jazz trends.
It's a strong showcase for Chandler's enduring talent and versatility, reminding listeners of his consistent output beyond his massive hits, with plenty of high-quality soul material.
Expect a mix of uptempo soul burners and slower, more introspective tracks, all delivered with Gene Chandler's signature smooth, powerful voice, backed by quality Chicago soul production. It's a well-regarded album for collectors and fans of classic soul music.
The Two Sides Of Gene Chandler
Written-By – Barry Despenza, Carl Wolfolk
A2 Familiar Footsteps
Written-By – Eugene Dixon, Kenny Lewis
A3 This Guy's In Love With You
Written-By – Burt Bacharach-Hal David
A4 If You Would Love Me
Written-By – Carl Davis, Eugene Record
A5 Suicide
Written-By – Eugene Dixon, Kenny Lewis
B1 Eleanor Rigby
Written-By – John Lennon-Paul McCartney
B2 Yesterdays
Written-By – Jerome Kern, Otto Harbach
B3 The Sun Died
Written-By – A. Gregory, H. Giraud, P. Delanoe, R. Charles
B4 Honey
Written-By – Bobby Russell
B5 This Bitter Earth
Written-By – Clyde Otis
Label: Brunswick – BL 754149
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1969
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Sixties Soul
Gene Chandler's The Two Sides Of Gene Chandler is a sophisticated, often darker soul album, showcasing a mature, "Iceman" persona with deep material like the harrowing "Suicide," a contrast to his earlier hits, making it a "lost" gem that reveals his depth beyond the "Duke of Earl" novelty, featuring classy arrangements and soulful depth.
Key Aspects:
The album moves beyond novelty with rich, moody arrangements and serious themes and featuring tracks exploring deep sorrow, most notably the powerful "Suicide," a Chicago soul classic with classy instrumentation, including jazz guitar and bluesy piano, giving it a fresh feel.
The album features production by Carl Davis & Eugene Record, with arrangements by Sonny Sanders & Thomas Washington.
Issued before his big comeback on Mercury, it's often overlooked but highly regarded by collectorsm and proves Chandler was more than just the "Duke of Earl," demonstrating serious performance and taste.
In essence, The Two Sides Of Gene Chandler is celebrated as a sophisticated and darker soul record that highlights his versatility as a powerful vocalist, not just a novelty act.
There Was A Time
Written-By – Eugene Dixon, Karl Tarleton
2:42
A2 Never Give You Up (Never Gonna Give Up)
Directed By [Orchestra With Chorus] – Willie Henderson
Written-By – Kenneth Gamble-Leon Huff, Jerry Butler
2:25
A3 Blind Heart
Directed By [Orchestra] – Willie Henderson
Written-By – Eugene Dixon, Keni Lewis
2:10
A4 Since You’ve Been Gone
Directed By [Orchestra With Chorus] – Willie Henderson
Written-By – Aretha Franklin, Ted White
2:18
A5 Laughter To Tears
Directed By [Orchestra] – Willie Henderson
Written-By – Eugene Dixon, Keni Lewis
2:14
A6 There Was A Time
Written-By – Buddy Hobgood, James Brown
3:27
B1 Pit Of Loneliness
Directed By [Orchestra] – Willie Henderson
Written-By – Eugene Dixon, Keni Lewis
2:25
B2 Teacher Teacher
Directed By [Orchestra] – Willie Henderson
Written-By – Eugene Dixon, Keni Lewis
2:03
B3 Cowboys To Girls
Directed By [Orchestra And Chorus] – Willie Henderson
Written-By – Kenneth Gamble-Leon Huff
2:21
Label: Brunswick – BL 754131
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1968
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Sixties Soul
Gene Chandler's There Was A Time, a 1968 album (often reissued), showcases his strong Chicago soul with a focus on driving rhythms, featuring his popular James Brown cover and a notable absence of strings for a fresh, raw feel with piano, sax, and guitar, making it an underrated gem appreciated by fans for its energetic sound, though it cemented his image beyond "Duke of Earl" but still found him in his signature persona.
An early Brunswick release, it's praised as a strong start for his work with the label, blending serious performance with his established style. The title track, "There Was A Time" is a highlight.
A key feature noted in reviews is the lack of strings, relying instead on piano, sax, and guitar, giving tracks like the Burt Bacharach cover "I Wake Up Crying" a distinct, moody, and refreshing edge.
Many listeners consider it an underrated album, appreciating its fantastic sound and pressing quality, especially on vinyl.
While it continued his "Duke of Earl" image, the album solidified him as a serious artist, even if he never quite recaptured that debut single's massive success.
Overall, There Was A Time is a solid entry in Gene Chandler's catalog, offering energetic Chicago soul with a raw instrumentation that sets it apart, making it a worthwhile listen for fans of Northern Soul, R&B, and classic soul from that era.