Ernie K-Doe

• Name — Ernie K-Doe • Background — solo_singer • Birth Name — Ernest Kador Jr. • Born — 22 February 1933 • Died — 5 July 2001 • Birthplace — New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. • Place of death — New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. • Instrument — Vocals • Genre — R&B • Occupation — Singer • Years Active — 1955–2001 • Label — * Specialty • Minit • London • Instant Ernest Kador Jr. (February 22, 1933 – July 5, 2001), known by the stage name Ernie K-Doe, was an American R&B singer best known for his 1961 hit single "Mother-in-Law", which went to number 1 on the Billboard pop chart in the U.S.

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-Law", written by Allen Toussaint, was his first hit, reaching number 1 on both the Billboard pop chart and the Billboard R&B chart. In the UK, the song peaked at number 29. K-Doe never had another top-40 pop hit, but "Te-Ta-Te-Ta-Ta" (number 21, 1961) and "Later for Tomorrow" (number 37, 1967) both reached the R&B top 40.

In the 1980s, K-Doe did radio shows on the 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 noncommercial 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, became a famous local eccentric in New Orleans. He 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 the Aquarium of the Americas, in New Orleans, 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 included "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 the UK, but was not a hit. It was re-released in 2007 as a result of its use in an advertising campaign for Boots and reached number 43 in the UK Singles Chart.

K-Doe died on July 5, 2001 of kidney and liver failure from years of alcoholism. After a traditional jazz funeral, he was entombed in the 200-year-old Duval tomb in Saint Louis Cemetery Number 2, in his native New Orleans. He had burial space in his father's family cemetery in Erwinville, Louisiana, 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 tomb space. He is in the same tomb with his second mother-in-law, with whom he was very close, and his best friend, Earl King.

• Single — Year — US — US R&B • "Mother-In-Law" — 1961 — 1 — 1 • "Te-Ta-Te-Ta-Ta" — 53 — 21 • "I Cried My Last Tear" — 69 — — • "A Certain Girl" — 71 — — • "Popeye Joe" — 1962 — 99 — — • "Later for Tomorrow" — 1967 — — — 37 • "(It Will Have to Do) Until the Real Thing Comes Along" — — — 48