Ernie K-Doe
Encyclopedia
Ernie K-Doe born Ernest Kador, Jr., was an African American
rhythm and blues
singer best known for his 1961 hit single "Mother-in-Law
" which went to #1 on the Billboard pop chart
in the U.S.
", written by Allen Toussaint
, was his first hit, and was #1 on both the Billboard pop and R&B charts. K-Doe never had another top-40 pop hit, but 1961's "Te-Ta-Te-Ta-Ta" (#21) and 1967's "Later For Tomorrow" (#37) both made the R&B top 40.
shows on New Orleans community stations WWOZ
and WTUL
. The shows were known for his explosively energetic announcements and frequent self promotion (occasionally causing problems for the non-commercial station). K-Doe's catch phrases included "Burn, K-Doe, Burn!" "I'm a Charity Hospital Baby!" and (addressed to himself) "You just good, that's all!". For a time he billed himself as "Mister Naugahyde" until he was ordered to desist by the owners of the Naugahyde
trademark. K-Doe then explained that it was a misunderstanding; he was actually referring to himself as "Mister M-Nauga-Ma-Hyde", a word he invented himself.
In the 1990s K-Doe began billing himself as "The Emperor of the Universe" and wearing a cape and crown he became a famous local eccentric
on the New Orleans scene. K-Doe continued performing and occasionally recording until shortly before his death. Always an elaborate showman, one of K-Doe's most notable later performances was at New Orleans' Aquarium of the Americas
where he performed at a benefit for a local group aiding people with disabilities. The show ended with K-Doe performing seven continuous renditions of "Mother In Law" while dancing in front of the Gulf of Mexico
shark tank exhibit dressed in a green plumed cape. Later recordings of note include "White Boy, Black Boy." While best known as a singer, he was also an accomplished drummer
.
The song 'Here Come The Girls' was released in 1970 in England, but was not a hit. It was re-released in 2007 and made No. 43. A cover by the Sugababes made No.3 in the UK charts in 2008.
, was interred in the 200-year-old Duval tomb in Saint Louis Cemetery
#2, in his native New Orleans. He had burial space in his father's family cemetery in Erwinville, LA, but his widow, Antoinette, as well as his fans and friends in New Orleans, wanted his remains in the city, so the Duval family offered him some of their burial space. He is buried in the same tomb with his second mother-in-law, with whom he was very close, and his best friend, Earl King
.
, continued to operate his music club/bar, "Ernie K-Doe's Mother-in-Law Lounge
," which houses a life-size statue of K-Doe himself. The club was severely damaged by Hurricane Katrina
in late 2005 and had to shut down. With the help of the Hands on Network and the musical artist, Usher Raymond
, Antoinette reopened the Mother-in-Law Lounge on August 28, 2006 in its original location at 1500 N. Claiborne Avenue.
Antoinette also led a tongue-in-cheek campaign for K-Doe's election for mayor of hurricane-ravaged New Orleans in 2006, five years after his death. She is quoted as saying "He's the only one qualified -- that's my opinion." Although K-Doe's name did not appear on the ballot, "his" campaign generated revenue from T-shirt and bumper sticker sales. Antoinette used the proceeds from these sales toward rebuilding the Mother-in-Law Lounge, as well as providing help to the New Orleans Musicians' Clinic
, both of which were damaged by Hurricane Katrina.
In November 2007 the British
-based high street beauty store and pharmacy Boots used his 1970 performance of the song "Here Come The Girls" as the soundtrack to a Christmas
TV commercial. This led to the song being re-released as single in the UK in December 2007, and a new Boots commercial featuring the song was aired between June and August 2008 with a summer theme.
The same song was also sampled on the Sugababes
' single "Girls", which was then itself used in another Boots commercial in November 2008.
Antoinette died in New Orleans on February 24, 2009, Mardi Gras day, after suffering a massive heart attack.
In 2009 Ernie K-Doe was inducted into The Louisiana Music Hall of Fame
.
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues, often abbreviated to R&B, is a genre of popular African American music that originated in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to urban African Americans, at a time when "urbane, rocking, jazz based music with a...
singer best known for his 1961 hit single "Mother-in-Law
Mother-in-Law (song)
"Mother-in-Law" is the name of a hit 1961 single by Ernie K-Doe. The song was a number-one hit in the U.S. on both the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B charts.. The song was written and produced by Allen Toussaint who also played the piano solo. It was issued by Minit Records...
" which went to #1 on the Billboard pop chart
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
in the U.S.
Early career
Born in New Orleans, K-Doe recorded as a member of the group the Blue Diamonds in 1954 before making his first solo recordings the following year. "Mother-in-LawMother-in-Law (song)
"Mother-in-Law" is the name of a hit 1961 single by Ernie K-Doe. The song was a number-one hit in the U.S. on both the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B charts.. The song was written and produced by Allen Toussaint who also played the piano solo. It was issued by Minit Records...
", written by Allen Toussaint
Allen Toussaint
Allen Toussaint is an American musician, composer, record producer, and influential figure in New Orleans R&B.Many of Toussaint's songs have become familiar through numerous cover versions, including "Working in the Coalmine", "Ride Your Pony", "Fortune Teller", "Play Something Sweet ", "Southern...
, was his first hit, and was #1 on both the Billboard pop and R&B charts. K-Doe never had another top-40 pop hit, but 1961's "Te-Ta-Te-Ta-Ta" (#21) and 1967's "Later For Tomorrow" (#37) both made the R&B top 40.
Later career
In the 1980s K-Doe did radioRadio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
shows on New Orleans community stations WWOZ
WWOZ
WWOZ is a non-profit community-supported radio station in New Orleans, Louisiana broadcasting at 90.7 FM. The station specializes in music from or relating to the cultural heritage of New Orleans and the surrounding region of Louisiana.-Programming:...
and WTUL
WTUL
WTUL is a progressive/alternative FM radio outlet in New Orleans, Louisiana, operating at 91.5 MHz with an ERP of 1.5 kW.The station, which is operated by Tulane University, offers a mix of cutting-edge, progressive, alternative, electronica, classical, New Age, straight ahead jazz, folk,...
. The shows were known for his explosively energetic announcements and frequent self promotion (occasionally causing problems for the non-commercial station). K-Doe's catch phrases included "Burn, K-Doe, Burn!" "I'm a Charity Hospital Baby!" and (addressed to himself) "You just good, that's all!". For a time he billed himself as "Mister Naugahyde" until he was ordered to desist by the owners of the Naugahyde
Naugahyde
Naugahyde is an American brand of artificial leather . Naugahyde is a composite of a knit fabric backing and polyvinyl chloride plastic coating. It was developed by United States Rubber Company, and is now manufactured and sold by the Uniroyal Engineered Products division of Michelin...
trademark. K-Doe then explained that it was a misunderstanding; he was actually referring to himself as "Mister M-Nauga-Ma-Hyde", a word he invented himself.
In the 1990s K-Doe began billing himself as "The Emperor of the Universe" and wearing a cape and crown he became a famous local eccentric
Eccentricity (behavior)
In popular usage, eccentricity refers to unusual or odd behavior on the part of an individual. This behavior would typically be perceived as unusual or unnecessary, without being demonstrably maladaptive...
on the New Orleans scene. K-Doe continued performing and occasionally recording until shortly before his death. Always an elaborate showman, one of K-Doe's most notable later performances was at New Orleans' Aquarium of the Americas
Aquarium of the Americas
The Audubon Aquarium of the Americas is a renowned aquarium in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.Recognized as one of the leading aquariums in the United States, it is run by the Audubon Institute, which also supervises the Audubon Zoo and Audubon Park...
where he performed at a benefit for a local group aiding people with disabilities. The show ended with K-Doe performing seven continuous renditions of "Mother In Law" while dancing in front of the Gulf of Mexico
Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico is a partially landlocked ocean basin largely surrounded by the North American continent and the island of Cuba. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States, on the southwest and south by Mexico, and on the southeast by Cuba. In...
shark tank exhibit dressed in a green plumed cape. Later recordings of note include "White Boy, Black Boy." While best known as a singer, he was also an accomplished drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
.
The song 'Here Come The Girls' was released in 1970 in England, but was not a hit. It was re-released in 2007 and made No. 43. A cover by the Sugababes made No.3 in the UK charts in 2008.
Death
K-Doe died in 2001 and, after a traditional jazz funeralJazz funeral
Jazz funeral is a common name for a funeral tradition with music which developed in New Orleans, Louisiana.The term "jazz funeral" was long in use by observers from elsewhere, but was generally disdained as inappropriate by most New Orleans musicians and practitioners of the tradition...
, was interred in the 200-year-old Duval tomb in Saint Louis Cemetery
Saint Louis Cemetery
Saint Louis Cemetery is the name of three Roman Catholic cemeteries in New Orleans, Louisiana. All of these graves are above ground vaults; most were constructed in the 18th century and 19th century....
#2, in his native New Orleans. He had burial space in his father's family cemetery in Erwinville, LA, but his widow, Antoinette, as well as his fans and friends in New Orleans, wanted his remains in the city, so the Duval family offered him some of their burial space. He is buried in the same tomb with his second mother-in-law, with whom he was very close, and his best friend, Earl King
Earl King
This article is about the musical artist. For the Earl King convicted of murdering a ship's officer, see Earl King, Ernest Ramsay, and Frank Conner...
.
After death
His widow, Antoinette K-DoeAntoinette K-Doe
Antoinette K-Doe was the spouse of rhythm and blues singer Ernie K-Doe. She was also owner of the Mother-in-Law Lounge in New Orleans, a pub and shrine to her late husband. She was a notable cook and costume designer, putting her skills to use to make elaborate suits for Ernie and dresses for...
, continued to operate his music club/bar, "Ernie K-Doe's Mother-in-Law Lounge
Mother-in-Law Lounge
In 1994, Ernie K-Doe opened the world-famous Mother-in-Law Lounge. The Mother-in-Law Lounge is a pub and a shrine in New Orleans, Louisiana dedicated to the memory of the late rhythm and blues singer, Ernie K-Doe. The lounge is a historical icon in the local community. It was completely...
," which houses a life-size statue of K-Doe himself. The club was severely damaged by Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was a powerful Atlantic hurricane. It is the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall...
in late 2005 and had to shut down. With the help of the Hands on Network and the musical artist, Usher Raymond
Usher (entertainer)
Usher Terry Raymond IV , who performs under the mononym Usher, is an American singer-songwriter, and actor. He is considered around the world to be the reigning King of R&B. Usher rose to fame in the late 1990s with the release of his second album My Way, which spawned his first Billboard Hot 100...
, Antoinette reopened the Mother-in-Law Lounge on August 28, 2006 in its original location at 1500 N. Claiborne Avenue.
Antoinette also led a tongue-in-cheek campaign for K-Doe's election for mayor of hurricane-ravaged New Orleans in 2006, five years after his death. She is quoted as saying "He's the only one qualified -- that's my opinion." Although K-Doe's name did not appear on the ballot, "his" campaign generated revenue from T-shirt and bumper sticker sales. Antoinette used the proceeds from these sales toward rebuilding the Mother-in-Law Lounge, as well as providing help to the New Orleans Musicians' Clinic
New Orleans Musicians' Clinic
The is a comprehensive health service dedicated to sustaining New Orleans’ musicians and tradition bearers by providing access to affordable medical services, stressing prevention and advocacy, and utilizing such facilities as a medical school, volunteers and community providers.The NOMC is a...
, both of which were damaged by Hurricane Katrina.
In November 2007 the British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
-based high street beauty store and pharmacy Boots used his 1970 performance of the song "Here Come The Girls" as the soundtrack to a Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
TV commercial. This led to the song being re-released as single in the UK in December 2007, and a new Boots commercial featuring the song was aired between June and August 2008 with a summer theme.
The same song was also sampled on the Sugababes
Sugababes
The Sugababes are an English pop girl group based in London, consisting of members Heidi Range, Amelle Berrabah and Jade Ewen. The Sugababes were formed in 1998 with founding members Siobhán Donaghy, Mutya Buena and Keisha Buchanan. Their debut album, One Touch, was released in 2000 under London...
' single "Girls", which was then itself used in another Boots commercial in November 2008.
Antoinette died in New Orleans on February 24, 2009, Mardi Gras day, after suffering a massive heart attack.
In 2009 Ernie K-Doe was inducted into The Louisiana Music Hall of Fame
Louisiana Music Hall of Fame
The Louisiana Music Hall of Fame is an IRS certified 501 non-profit organization based in the state capitol of Baton Rouge, La., that seeks to preserve Louisiana's rich music culture and heritage and to further educate its citizens and people worldwide about the state’s unique role contributing...
.