Chris Kenner(1929-1976)
- Music Department
- Soundtrack
R&B singer Chris Kenner was born in Kenner, LA, in 1929. He began his
musical career in the early 1950s singing gospel, but in 1955 he
recorded an R&B single, "Don't Let Her Pin That Charge on Me", and
stayed in that genre. He recorded another song in 1957, "Sick and
Tired", which went to #13 on the R&B charts (a year later
Fats Domino recorded it and it went to #22
on the pop charts). He was also a successful songwriter, and wrote
several songs for singer Wilson Pickett,
one of which, "Land of A Thousand Dances", was one of Pickett's biggest
hits and also became a hit for
Cannibal and the Headhunters.
In 1961 he recorded his biggest hit, "I Like It Like That"--which he also wrote--for New Orleans' Instant Records, which went to #2 on both the R&B and pop charts (in 1965 The Dave Clark Five recorded it and it was also a hit for them). Unfortunately, Kenner was unable to capitalize on his hit. A combination of a lackluster performing style on stage and a serious drinking problem hurt his career. Problems with the law further damaged it, and a stretch in prison in the late 1960s ended it. He was released from prison in 1973 and attempted a comeback, but it wasn't successful.
He died in New Orleans in 1976.
In 1961 he recorded his biggest hit, "I Like It Like That"--which he also wrote--for New Orleans' Instant Records, which went to #2 on both the R&B and pop charts (in 1965 The Dave Clark Five recorded it and it was also a hit for them). Unfortunately, Kenner was unable to capitalize on his hit. A combination of a lackluster performing style on stage and a serious drinking problem hurt his career. Problems with the law further damaged it, and a stretch in prison in the late 1960s ended it. He was released from prison in 1973 and attempted a comeback, but it wasn't successful.
He died in New Orleans in 1976.
