ABOUT
The Dells were a highly acclaimed and veteran R&B/smooth soul/doo-wop vocal group with a great deal of crossover appeal that became famous during the 1960s and early 1970s. Their best known songs include such romantic R&B ballads as "Stay In My Corner" (1968), "Always Together" (1968), "Oh, What A Night" (1969), "I Can Sing A Rainbow/Love Is Blue" (1969), and "Give Your Baby A Standing Ovation" (1973), as well as the catchy and more energetic "There Is" (1968).
Formed in 1952 at Thornton Township High School in Harvey, Illinois and first known as The El-Rays, the original lineup consisted of tenor Verne Allison (b. 1936), bass singer Chuck Barksdale (January 11, 1935 - May 15, 2019), tenor Johnny Funches (July 18, 1935 - January 23, 1998), baritone Marvin Junior (January 31, 1936 - May 29, 2013), baritone Michael McGill (b. 1937), and tenor Lucius McGill (b. 1935). Johnny Funches and Marvin Junior both served as lead singers, and Lucius McGill left the group soon after. Funches was replaced by tenor/falsetto Johnny Carter (June 2, 1934 - August 21, 2009) in 1960, and The Dells remained intact thereafter through most of 2009 upon Carter's passing that year. The Dells then continued on as a quartet before their final split in 2012.
The Dells' numerous honors and accolades include being inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame (2004), the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (2004), and the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame (2022). Johnny Carter, who was a founding member of The Flamingos prior to joining The Dells, is one of very few to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice, first with The Flamingos in 2001, and then with The Dells in 2004.
LINKS
- For more info about the history of The Dells, visit themightydells.com.
- Billboard remembers Dells bass singer Chuck Barksdale.
- The Guardian remembers Dells co-lead singer Johnny Carter.
- The New York Times remembers Dells co-lead singer Marvin Junior.
SHOP EXCLUSIVE RECORDINGS FOR THE DELLS
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- The Dells - CDs, vinyl, & more - Amazon.com
- The Dells - Digital music - Amazon.com
- The Dells - Rare vinyl, CDs, & more - MusicStack.com
SONGS
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The Dells
- Always Together 1968
(This R&B ballad was written by Marcus Miller, Al Smith, Genevieve Smith, and Robin Smith.) - Give Your Baby A Standing Ovation 1973
- I Can Sing A Rainbow/Love Is Blue 1969
- The Love We Had (Stays On My Mind) 1971
- Stay In My Corner 1968
- There Is 1968
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