RESOLUTION COMMEMORATING THE CREATION OF HONORARY
GENE CHANDLER WAY
WHEREAS, Mr. Gene Chandler was a legend in the music industry; and
WHEREAS, The Honorable Toni Foulkes, Alderman ofthe 16th Ward, has apprised this august body of this notable man's achievements; and
WHEREAS, Gene Chandler was born Eugene Dixon. He moved to Englewood at the age of twelve and attended Englewood High School; and
WHEREAS, Eugene Dixon began performing in the music business in the early 1950's with the Gaytones; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Dixon joined the Dukays in 1957; and
WHEREAS, For several years Mr. Dixon served honorably in the military; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Dixon changed his name to Gene Chandler in 1962. In that same year the Dukays released "The Duke of Earl" which sold over one million copies and spent three weeks as the number one song on the charts. Additionally, Mr. Chandler began being called "The Duke of Earl"; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Chandler also was a successful music producer. In 1970, he won the Producer of the Year award from the National Association of Television and Radio Announcers (NATRA); and
WHEREAS, Mr. Chandler has been also active in community affairs. He created Project Happiness, a not-for-profit organization that provides for those in need at the holidays; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and members of the City of Chicago City Council, gathered together this first day of November, 2016, do hereby recognize the accomplishments of Gene Chandler and acknowledge the naming of Honorary Gene Chandler Way on 59th Street between Racine Avenue and May Street.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to Gene Chandler.