Mother-in-Law Lounge - New Orleans, LA (Rock of Ages)

1500 N. Claiborne Ave

New Orleans, LA 70116

29.97089,-90.066637

www.k-doe.com

            My God, with a name like the Mother-in-Law Lounge, who knows what kind of demonic hauntings we may be dealing with! Full blown possessions, physical attacks and the spewing of pea soup are sure to be going on in this imp-filled establishment! Fortunately, my sarcasm and lame jokes are simply just that, as the next location gets its name from a song and not the vengeful wrath of a wife's mother. Please allow me to take a brief moment and give you a useful word of advice: Behind every successful man, lies an amazed mother-in-law!
            Our story begins with a famous New Orleans R&B singer by the name of Ernest Kador, Jr., also known by his stage name Ernie K-Doe. He 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. At the early age of fifteen, his talent was noticed by the manager of the famous Flamingos and his career would soon take off. After working with several musicians such as Joe Tex, he became a member of the group the Blue Diamonds in 1954 before making his first solo recordings the following year.

            After numerous hit songs such as A Certain Girl, T'ain't It the Truth, Come On Home and Te-Ta-Te-Ta-Ta, Ernie K-Doe would unleash his most successful song Mother-in-Law, written by Allen Toussaint in 1961. The song would go viral, selling millions of copies and landed at number one on the Billboard and R&B charts. After years of successful touring and hundreds of performances all over the world, Ernie K-Doe decided to bring it all back home to his beloved city of New Orleans. In

One of several murals one the walls of the
Mother-in-Law Lounge.

1994, he opened the Mother-in-Law Lounge on the edge of the French Quarter on North Claiborne Street in the area known as the Treme district. As you can see, the building is colorfully designed with various murals which feature local musicians.
            The lounge was, and still is, a local hotspot for R&B enthusiasts to relax and enjoy great music from the city's local artists. In 2001, Ernie K-Doe sadly passed away. He was buried in the famous Saint Louis Cemetery number two and passed the lounge down to his wife, Antoinette, who would continue to run the lounge in Ernie's honor. In 2005, the devastating event known as Hurricane Katrina would ravage the city. The Mother-in-Law Lounge would not be spared, as it was flooded with nearly six feet of water!
            Antoinette would return to her beloved city and ensure that the lounge was restored to its former self. Once remodeling was complete, she continued operating the lounge for several years

The late Ernie K-Doe, said to haunt
the lounge.

until tragedy would once again strike the family. Only days after riding on a Mardi Gras float in the Krewe of Muses parade, Antoinette died of a sudden heart attack on February 24, 2009, while closing up the Mother-in-Law Lounge for the night. Fortunately, the legend of Ernie K-Doe would not be lost for good, as the lounge was purchased in 2011 by local musician Kermit Ruffins. On January 20, 2014, the lounge would ceremoniously reopen as Kermit's Mother-in-Law Lounge.
            Those who visit the lounge at late hours of the night attest to the belief that it is haunted by the spirits of Mr. and Mrs. K-Doe. As they devoted so much of their time and energy to seeing that the establishment was a success, it makes perfect sense that their energy and spirit is left behind to ensure that the lounge is still operated in the manner that they see fit. Next time you hear the well-known song Mother-in-Law on the radio, be sure to remember this famous musician and his popular lounge that still remains today.