Chris Kenner – I like it like that

chriskennerilikeit

“I like it like that” by Chris Kenner was issued on Sue ILP 933, The Sue Story Volume 2.

Billboard No. 2, 1961.

Updated 3 March 2019

Chris Kenner, Land of 1,000 Dances/That’s my girl

117 | 28 March 2024

Chris Kenner | WBSS Media

Singer and song writer Christophe Kenner was born in Kenner, Louisiana, on December 25, 1929. On his youth he sang with gospel choirs. In his teens he moved to New Orleans to work as a stevedore. After early recordings he started working and recording with Allen Toussaint in 1961 and had some success with his songs “I like it like that” and “Something you got”.

The original recording of “Dances” starts with a spoken introduction, which was omitted when the recording was released. Sometimes Fats Domino is mentioned as a co-writer, although he is not credited on the Sue release. This was a private arrangement to get Domino to record the song in return for half of the royalties.

Kenner’s career was affected by his high spending, alcoholism and unpredictable behaviour. He was notorious for being unable to remember the words of his own songs at performances. In 1968 he was convicted of the statutory rape of a minor and served a three year prison sentence at the infamous Angola prison.

Chris Kenner died in New Orleans, Louisiana, on January 25, 1976, age 46, after a heart attack.

“Land of 1000 Dances”, Instant 3252 (1962) . Released on UK Sue WI 351 in January 1965.

Chart position: US No. 77, 1962.

Collection of Martin Whitell