Chris Kenner

1929–1976 · New Orleans R&B singer-songwriter · Instant Records

Born in Kenner, Louisiana on Christmas Day 1929, Chris Kenner sang gospel before moving to New Orleans and working the docks as a stevedore. Paired with pianist and arranger Allen Toussaint at Instant Records, he hit No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1961 with “I Like It Like That,” which earned a Grammy nomination. “Land of 1000 Dances” followed in 1962 and became the more durable song, even though his own record stalled at No. 77. Heavy drinking and a 1968 conviction derailed his career, and he died of a heart attack in 1976 at 46.

Who recorded it

Songs Chris Kenner recorded first

Land of 1000 Dances

Recorded it first — now often credited to Wilson Pickett

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