Ernie K-Doe facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ernie K-Doe
K-Doe at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, 1996
Background information
Birth name	Ernest Kador Jr.
Born	(1933-02-22)February 22, 1933 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Died	July 5, 2001(2001-07-05) (aged 68) New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Genres	R&B
Occupation(s)	Singer
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1955–2001
Labels	Specialty, Minit, London, Instant
Associated acts	Benny Spellman Allen Toussaint

Ernest Kador Jr. (born February 22, 1933 – died July 5, 2001), known as Ernie K-Doe, was a famous American R&B singer. He is most famous for his 1961 song "Mother-in-Law." This song became a number one hit in the United States.

Early Music Career

Ernie K-Doe was born in New Orleans. He started his music career in 1954 with a group called the Blue Diamonds. The next year, he began recording songs on his own.

His first big hit was "Mother-in-Law." A famous musician named Allen Toussaint wrote this song. It quickly became number one on both the pop and R&B music charts. Ernie K-Doe did not have another pop song reach the top 40. However, some of his other songs, like "Te-Ta-Te-Ta-Ta" and "Later for Tomorrow," were popular on the R&B charts.

Later Years and Fame

In the 1980s, Ernie K-Doe hosted radio shows in New Orleans. He was known for his exciting announcements. He also often promoted himself on air. He had many famous sayings, like "Burn, K-Doe, Burn!" and "I'm a Charity Hospital Baby!" He would even tell himself, "You just good, that's all!"

For a while, he called himself "Mister Naugahyde." But the company that owned the Naugahyde name asked him to stop. K-Doe then explained he was actually "Mister M-Nauga-Ma-Hyde," a name he made up.

The Emperor of the Universe

In the 1990s, Ernie K-Doe started calling himself "The Emperor of the Universe." He would wear a cape and a crown. He became a well-known and unique person in New Orleans. He kept performing and recording music until he passed away.

He was always a great showman. One memorable performance was at the Aquarium of the Americas in New Orleans. He performed to help people with disabilities. The show ended with K-Doe singing "Mother In Law" seven times in a row. He danced in front of the shark tank, wearing a green feathered cape.

Some of his later recordings include "White Boy, Black Boy." While he was best known as a singer, he was also a talented drummer. His song "Here Come the Girls" was released in the UK in 1970. It did not become a hit then. However, it was re-released in 2007. This happened because it was used in a TV ad for Boots stores. The song reached number 43 on the UK charts. A cover version by the Sugababes reached number 3 in 2008.

Passing Away

Ernie K-Doe died in 2001. He passed away from kidney and liver failure. After a traditional jazz funeral, he was buried in New Orleans. He was laid to rest in the 200-year-old Duval tomb. This is in Saint Louis Cemetery number 2.

He could have been buried in his father's family cemetery. But his wife, Antoinette, and his friends wanted him to be in New Orleans. So, the Duval family offered him space in their tomb. He is buried with his second mother-in-law, who he was very close to. His best friend, Earl King, is also buried there.

Legacy After Death

His wife, Antoinette K-Doe, continued to run his music club and bar. It was called Ernie K-Doe's Mother-in-Law Lounge. The club had a life-size statue of him inside.

The club was badly damaged by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. It had to close down. But with help from the Hands on Network and musician Usher Raymond, Antoinette reopened the lounge. This happened on August 28, 2006. It was in the same spot at 1500 N. Claiborne Avenue.

Campaign for Mayor

Antoinette also started a fun campaign for K-Doe to be mayor of New Orleans in 2006. This was five years after he died. She said, "He's the only one qualified—that's my opinion." K-Doe's name was not on the ballot. But the campaign sold T-shirts and bumper stickers. Antoinette used the money to rebuild the Mother-in-Law Lounge. She also helped the New Orleans Musicians' Clinic. Both were damaged by Hurricane Katrina.

Song in Commercials

In November 2007, the British store Boots used his 1970 song "Here Come the Girls." It was the music for their Christmas TV commercial. This led to the song being re-released as a single in the UK. A new Boots commercial with a summer theme also used the song in 2008.

The same song was also used in the Sugababes' song "Girls." That song was then used in another Boots commercial in November 2008.

Antoinette K-Doe died in New Orleans on February 24, 2009. This was on Mardi Gras day. She passed away after a heart attack.

Ernie K-Doe was honored in the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame in 2009.

Personal Life

Ernie K-Doe was a Catholic.

Discography