Remembering a New Orleans Legend:
Antoinette K-DoeNBC Nightly News with Brian WilliamsFeb. 24:
Excerpt|00:49|Antoinette K-Doe, widow of rhythm & blues singer Ernie K-Doe, died on Mardi Gras day at the age of 66. In an interview conducted shortly after Hurricane Katrina...
Antoinette K-Doe
Antoinette K-Doe
Antoinette K-Doe, the wife of New Orleans famous singer Ernie K-Doe, died of an apparent heart attack at her Mother-in-Law Lounge early Mardi Gras Day, according to family members.
Local musicians have been passing through the lounge all morning to offer condolences.
Friends said it was fitting that K-Doe passed away on a holiday she loved so much and family said they plan to honor her memory by having the celebration today - something they say she would have wanted.
She was 66 years old.
Mourners file past the body of the Emperor of the World, Ernie K-Doe, Mother-in-Law, on July 12, 2001. K-Doe is the first rhythm and blues singer to be laid in state in New Orleans and the first whose memorial services were held at the city's historic Gallier Hall. 
In 1994, Ernie K-Doe opened the world-famous Ernie K-Doe Mother-in-Law Lounge at 1500 N. Claiborne Avenue in New Orleans, Louisiana. One of K-Doe's main reasons for opening the Lounge was to provide a place for New Orleans' living legends to come and perform. Don't be surprised if you find yourself rubbing elbows with some of the greats of the Crescent City when you visit the Mother-in-Law Lounge.
The Lounge is a shrine to the immortal legend of K-Doe. The walls are adorned with photographs and artwork of K-Doe throughout his life. Many pictures of K-Doe's family and friends can be seen as well.
When K-Doe was still with us, it wasn't uncommon to have the Emperor himself greet you at the door. Today, Antoinette continues to keep alive the warm, friendly, hospitable environment that K-Doe's fans have come to expect. You are nothing if not well-taken-care-of at the Mother-in-Law Lounge. Have a drink and play the jukebox, which has one of the best selections you can find of classic New Orleans R&B artists (including a great many K-Doe hits!).
The Mother-in-Law Lounge is located at the edge of New Orleans' historic Tremé neighborhood on the corner of N. Claiborne and Columbus:
Ernie K-Doe started his singing career in his church choir and went on to sing with such spiritual groups as the Golden Choir Jubilees of New Orleans and the Divine Traveler. He was inspired by such artists as Big Joe Turner, Ray Charles, B.B. King, Bobby Bland, and Eddie Jones, known to all as Guitar Slim.At the age of 15, while performing at an amateur night show, he was heard by the manager of the legendary Flamingos. His first recording was the also legendary Chess Record Company with "I Only Have Eyes for You".
Ernie K-Doe had a strong desire to perform, and did with such enthusiasm that he made audiences scream for more. He says he enjoys singing because it gives him a feeling of happiness and joy. This goes back to the days when he felt that way with the spriritual choirs.
Early in his career, he practiced with Joe Tex at the Dew Drop Inn, which is the reason they have similar styles in dancing with the microphone, falling down, and rolling off the stage. He says he never has to move when performing, because he never could keep still, although he never had any dancing lessons. He considers the stage to be a ring and remarks, "If you don't get out there and move they would kill you." Having traveled all over the world, he recalls his best times at the Club Lingerie in Hollywood and the Apollo Theater in New York City. Ernie K-Doe has sung at the Apollo Theater in New York eight times, the Howard Theater in Washington, DC three times, the Uptown Theater in Philadelphia six times, the Regal Theater in Chicago twelve times and Carnegie Hall in New York one time.
K-Doe has recorded such hits as "A Certain Girl", "T'ain't It the Truth", "Come On Home", "Te-Ta-Te-Ta-Ta", "Later for Tomorrow", just to name a few. His biggest recording was "Mother-in-Law", which sold millions. K-Doe says it will last to the end of the Earth, "because someone is always going to get married."
When "Mother-in-Law" was out on the charts, K-Doe was considered one of the Big Five, which included James Brown, Lil Willie John, Joe Tex and Jackie Wilson. Of the Big Five, only K-Doe and James Brown are still "doin' it".
Ernie K-Doe says he is going to bring New Orleans back and in the process, himself. For the last few years, K-Doe has been on the path to sobriety after living in an alcoholic haze for years. The singer, who rose to fame in 1961, when his "Mother-in-Law" was the No. 1 song in the nation, is back on the job, sober and enthusiastic.
And he wants to restore New Orleans to the glory of its heyday—when it was feeding ground for such greats as Fats Domino, Eddie "Guitar Slim" Jones, Little Richard, Barbara George and many others.
To do it, K-Doe opened Ernie K-Doe's Mother-in-Law Lounge at 1500 N. Claiborne Avenue and he performs with an alternating cast of musicians. To his mind, the club is a place where musicians can help one another just like in the old days.
By the way, Ernie K-Doe was right about the song "Mother-in-Law". It will last to the ends of the Earth, or at least for a while. Ernie got married in January of 1996 to Antoinette Fox, and her mother was watching over the ceremony! So look out, K-Doe, and look out, world! K-Doe is still doing what he does best: Entertain!
In 1997, the Rhythm & Blues Foundation recognized Ernie K-Doe with its prestigious Pioneer Award. The award was presented at Radio City Music Hall in New York City and K-Doe brought the house of American musical legends to its feet with his performance of "Mother-in-Law".
In 1999, Ernie K-Doe was the first person to be honored with the Big Easy Entertainment Awards' Heritage Award.
The New Orleans Music Hall of Fame inducted Ernie K-Doe in 1995. The award was presented to K-Doe at his New Orleans club, the Mother-in-Law Lounge.
The State of Louisiana inducted Ernie K-Doe into the Louisiana Hall of Fame in 1997.
Each year, a select few Louisiana artists are honored with a Legend Award, presented by the South Louisiana Association. K-Doe received this distinction in 1999 at a ceremony in Baton Rouge.
