**Soul - funk - disco singer - songwriter** Born on 06.07.1937 in Chicago, Illinois. After his short stint with [[artist:The Dukays]] he went solo changing his name to Gene Chandler which a surname taken from the actor Jeff Chandler. In the early 60's he released the smash hit "The Duke Of Earl", a title that became a regular persona for his act. He appeared as such in "Don't Knock The Twist" movie, starring [[artist:Chubby Checker]]. After his solo releases at [[label:Vee Jay Records]] he started recording for [[label:Constellation Records (2)]], [[label:Checker]] and [[label:Brunswick]].

Often produced by [[artist:Curtis Mayfield]].

He dueted with [[artist:Barbara Acklin]] on "From The Teacher To The Preacher".

Among his 60's hits were his cover of [[artist:James Brown]], "There Was A Time" and "You Threw A Lucky Punch", an answer song to [[artist:Mary Wells]]' "You Beat Me To The Punch".

In the early 70's he dueted with [[artist:Jerry Butler]] for the whole album "One On One".

His second biggest hit after "The Duke Of Earl" was the early 70's "Groovy Situation".

In the early 1970s, whilst at [[label:Mercury]], he set up his [[label:Mister Chand]] label, one of many he was involved with over his long career.

Between 1978 - 1981 he became executive vice president at [[label:Chi Sound Records]], where he released four disco funk albums.

He spawned the hits "Get Down", "When You're #1", "Does She Have A Friend?" and "Rainbow '80"

After these, in 1983, he dueted with [[artist:Jaime Lynn]] for "You're The One" at [[label:Salsoul Records]].

In 1985 he recorded a soul boogie album and he recorded again in 1995.