Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
Marshall Cohen—researcher and producer, CNN
Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
DUKE OF DUBUQUE
DUKE OF DUBUQUE. The song appeared in 1941 and was originally recorded by the Four Vagabonds for RCA. The words and music were written by Billy Faber and James Marchant, African-American recording artists came from St. Louis. After moving to Chicago, they became a popular feature on Don McNeill's Breakfast Show. They were best remembered for the hit during WORLD WAR II called "Rosie, the Riveter." (1)
"Duke of Dubuque" was revived in the 1980s by The Manhattan Transfer, a pop musical group that sang the song on a television special called "Night of 1,000 Stars" and for PBS-TV on its "Evening at the Pops" with the Boston Pops Orchestra. Manhattan Transfer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fuv3smR0oA
Famed band leader Paul HEMMER remembered playing the song at "Duke's Place," a nightclub he co-owned. Local musicians, he recalled considered it an interesting novelty. (2)
This rendition is performed by the Vocal Jazz Quartet, a cappella. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWpUwiyXwdY
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Source:
Hogstrom, Erik. "Remembering "The Duke of Dubuque," Telegraph Herald, March 11, 2018, . 1C
