The Dells

About

The Dells were an American R&B vocal group. Formed in high school in 1953 by founding members Marvin Junior, Verne Allison, Johnny Funches, Chuck Barksdale, and Michael and Lucius McGill, under the name the El-Rays. They released their first recording in 1954 and two years later had their first R&B hit with “Oh What a Night”. After disbanding due to a near-fatal car crash in 1958, the band re-formed in 1960 with Funches being replaced by Johnny Carter. This lineup remained together until Carter’s death in 2009. In 2004 the Dells were inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame. The group performed until illness forced longtime lead singer Marvin Junior and bass vocalist Chuck Barksdale into retirement, ending the group’s 60-year run.

Albums/Songs:

• No Way Back
• The Mighty Mighty Dells
• Reminiscing
• One Step Closer
• The Dells (La grande storia del rock)
• Love Connection
• Love Is Blue
• The Dells Sing Dionne Warwicke’s Greatest Hits
• There Is
• Then & Now
• They Said It Couldn’t Be Done, but We Did It!
• It’s Not Unusual
• Give Your Baby a Standing Ovation
• New Beginnings
• Like It Is, Like It Was
• Always Together: The Dells Musical Menu
• The Dells vs. The Dramatics
• I Salute You
• I Touched a Dream
• The Dells
• Oh, What a Nite
• Whatever Turns You On
• Freedom Means
• Face to Face
• Sweet as Funk Can Be

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