Eldon Wayne Hoke (March 23, 1958 – April 19, 1997), nicknamed El Duce, was an American musician best known as the drummer and lead singer of the shock rock band the Mentors, as well as other acts, including Chinas Comidas and the Screamers.
Apart from his musical career, Eldon was also an actor who appeared in several films as an extra, and discussed his band and lifestyle on Jerry Springer and Wally George TV talk-shows.
The Mentors' songs were covered by artists including Black Label Society, GWAR and Koffin Kats, and quoted by Guns N' Roses, Anthrax and Dr. Know (in "Cornshucker", "I'm The Man" and "Fist F*ck", respectively).
Early life
Hoke was born in Seattle, Washington to mother Doris Hope and father Walter Hoke. His father designed bombs for the Vietnam War, and he was also abusive towards him and his sister. He attended Roosevelt High School where he formed the Mentors with school friends Eric Carlson and Steve Broy after he was expelled for repeatedly vandalizing the school.
^ @broysteve. "Instagram post from August 8, 2016". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
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"The el Duce Tapes".
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Wallace, Max (March 20, 2014). Love & Death: The Murder of Kurt Cobain. Allison & Busby. ISBN 9780749016104.
