Chris Kenner

Chris Kenner (December 25, 1929 - January 25, 1976) was a New Orleans R&B singer and songwriter best known for two classic hits of the early 1960s that became staples in the repertoires of many other artists.

Related Topics:
December 25 - 1929 - January 25 - 1976 - New Orleans - R&B - 1960s

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Born in the New Orleans suburb of Kenner, Chris Kenner sang gospel music with his church choir, and moved to New Orleans in his teens. In 1955 he made his first recordings, for a small label called Baton Records, without success, and in 1957 recorded his "Sick and Tired" for the Imperial Records label; Fats Domino covered it the next year and the song became a hit. "Rocket to the Moon" and "Life Is Just a Struggle," both cut for the Ron Records label, were other notable songs from this period.

Related Topics:
Kenner - Gospel music - Baton Records - Imperial Records - Fats Domino - Ron Records

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Moving to another New Orleans label, Instant, he began to work with pianist and arranger Allen Toussaint; this collaboration produced in 1961 the classics "I Like It Like That" (covered in 1965 by the Dave Clark Five) and "Something You Got" (covered by Alvin Robinson, the Ramsey Lewis Trio, Chuck Jackson and Maxine Brown, and Bobby Womack). In 1962 he produced his most enduring song, "Land of 1,000 Dances," which was recorded by Cannibal and the Headhunters and Wilson Pickett. Kenner's recordings were marked by his rough-hewn voice and the elegant arrangements and piano of Toussaint.

Related Topics:
Instant - Allen Toussaint - The Dave Clark Five - Alvin Robinson - Ramsey Lewis - Chuck Jackson - Maxine Brown - Bobby Womack - Cannibal and the Headhunters - Wilson Pickett

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Kenner continued to record for Instant and for various other small local labels; many of his lesser-known songs from the '60s, such as "My Wife," "Packing Up" and "They Took My Money," are classic examples of New Orleans R&B. He released an LP on Atlantic Records in 1966.

Related Topics:
Atlantic Records - 1966

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In 1968 Kenner was convicted of statutory rape of a minor, and spent three years in Louisiana's Angola prison. Never a compelling live performer, profligate with the considerable money he earned from his songwriting, and given to drink, Kenner never again equalled his early successes.

Related Topics:
1968 - Statutory rape - Louisiana

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