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Chris Kenner

Chris Kenner
Chris kenner.jpg
Background information
Birth name Christophe Kenner
Born (1929-12-25)December 25, 1929
Kenner, Louisiana, United States
Died January 25, 1976(1976-01-25) (aged 46)
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Genres R&B
Occupation(s) Singer, songwriter
Instruments vocals

Christophe "Chris" Kenner (December 25, 1929 – January 25, 1976) was a New Orleans R&B singer and songwriter, best known for two hit singles in the early 1960s, which became staples in the repertoires of many other musicians.

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

Moving to another New Orleans label, Instant, he began to work with the pianist and arranger Allen Toussaint. In 1961, this collaboration produced "I Like It Like That", his first and biggest hit, peaking at number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart (covered in 1965 by the Dave Clark Five), and "Something You Got" (covered by Wilson Pickett, Alvin Robinson, the Ramsey Lewis Trio, Chuck Jackson, Earl Grant, Maxine Brown, Bobby Womack, the Moody Blues, the American Breed, Fairport Convention and Bruce Springsteen). "I Like It Like That" sold over one million copies and was awarded a gold disc by the Recording Industry Association of America. In 1963 he produced his most enduring song, "Land of 1000 Dances", which was covered by various artists, including Cannibal & the Headhunters, Thee Midniters, Wilson Pickett, the Action, and Patti Smith.


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