Ernest Kador Jr., known by his stage name Ernie K-Doe, was an influential American R&B singer born on February 22, 1933, in New Orleans, Louisiana. He gained fame with his 1961 hit single "Mother-in-Law," which topped both the Billboard pop and R&B charts. Before his solo success, he recorded with the Blue Diamonds in 1954 and began his solo career the following year. Despite "Mother-in-Law" being his only major hit, K-Doe had other notable R&B chart entries like "Te-Ta-Te-Ta-Ta" and "Later for Tomorrow."

In the 1980s, K-Doe became a radio personality in New Orleans, known for his energetic style and self-promotion. He coined phrases like "Burn, K-Doe, Burn!" and adopted the persona "The Emperor of the Universe," becoming a local eccentric figure. He continued to perform and occasionally record throughout the 1990s, even opening his own club, the Mother-in-Law Lounge.

K-Doe's life was marked by ups and downs, including struggles with alcoholism. He passed away on July 5, 2001, from kidney and liver failure. His legacy endures in New Orleans, where he is remembered as a larger-than-life character and a key figure in the city's musical history. His story is captured in the biography "Ernie K-Doe: The R&B Emperor of New Orleans" by Ben Sandmel.