Gene Chandler (born Eugene Drake Dixon; July 6, 1937) is an American singer, songwriter, music producer, and record-label executive.

He joined the Dukays with James Lowe, Shirley Jones, Earl Edwards and Ben Broyles in 1957, soon becoming their lead singer.

[5] After the song spent three weeks at number one on the Billboard charts, Chandler purchased a cape, monocle, cane and top hat and advertised himself as the Duke of Earl.

He appeared in costume singing "Duke of Earl" in Don't Knock the Twist, a 1962 film featuring Chubby Checker.

[8] Chandler had produced "Backfield in Motion" in 1969 for Mel and Tim on Bamboo Records, which reached number three on the R&B chart and the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100.

Chandler had some success with disco-style music during the late 1970s, making records with his former producer Carl Davis which included "Get Down", "When You're #1" and "Does She Have a Friend?"

During the mid to late 1970s, a resurgence of interest in 1950s music and pop culture inspired disc jockey Wolfman Jack to organize a tour by vintage acts, including Chandler.

In 1988, "Duke of Earl" was included on the soundtrack of Hairspray; "Groovy Situation" appeared on Anchorman: Music from the Motion Picture (2004).

[11] In 2016, Chandler was honored in his hometown of Chicago by having a street named after him for his industry accomplishments, hit records, and his civic and philanthropic efforts for the city and its people.