Gene Chandler

Gene Chandler was born Eugene Dixon in Chicago in 1937, and he started singing in church choirs. He signed with Vee-Jay Records in 1957, but his early singles didn't make much noise until 1962, when he wrote and recorded "Duke of Earl." That song went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and became his calling card, an anthem built around a simple, catchy rhythm and his smooth, soulful delivery.

After "Duke of Earl," Chandler kept recording through the 1960s and into the 1970s. He had hits like "Groovy Situation" in 1967 and "Rainbow '65," and later tracks like "When You're Number One" in 1972. His backing band, The Dukays, helped shape his sound during those years.

Chandler's career wasn't always smooth. He dealt with legal disputes over royalties and label conflicts that slowed things down at times. He was also outspoken on social issues, which sometimes drew attention away from the music. But through it all, he kept working, and songs like "Just Be True" and "Get Down" showed he could still deliver that soulful groove.