Ernie K-Doe and his fans at the Warehouse, New Orleans, 1974
Photo by Michael P. Smith
Ernest Kador, Jr. — known by the stage name Ernie K-Doe — was born 88 years ago today.
K-Doe was a 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.
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, 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 charted in the R&B Top 40.
In the 1980s, K-Doe did radio 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.
K-Doe died in 2001 and, after a traditional jazz funeral, was interred in the 200-year-old Duval tomb in Saint Louis Cemetery #2, in his native New Orleans. He was 65.
His widow, Antoinette K-Doe, 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.