The Dells
A soul vocal and close harmony group formed in 1953 as the El-Rays when the members—Johnny Funches (lead), Marvin Junior (b. 31 January 1936, Harrell, Arkansas, USA; tenor), Verne Allison (b. 22 June 1936, Chicago, Illinois, USA; tenor), Lucius McGill (b. 1935, Chicago, Illinois, USA; tenor), Mickey McGill (b. 17 February 1937, Chicago, Illinois, USA; baritone) and Chuck Barksdale (b. 11 January 1935, Chicago, Illinois, USA; bass)—were all high school students. As the El-Rays the group released one record on the Chess label, Darling Dear I Know in 1953. After a name change they recorded Tell The World in 1955, which was only a minor hit, but a year later they released Oh What A Night (number 4 in the R&B chart), one of the era's best-loved black harmony performances and the Dells’ last hit for 10 years. In 1965 they returned to the R&B chart with Stay In My Corner. Three years later under the guidance of producer Bobby Miller, a re-recorded version of this song effectively relaunched their career when it became a US Top 10 hit. An enchanting medley of Love Is Blue and I Can Sing A Rainbow (1969) was their sole UK hit in 1969 but a further re-recording, this time of Oh What A Night, introduced a string of successful releases in the US including Open Up My Heart (1970), Give Your Baby A Standing Ovation and I Miss You (both 1973). The Dells continued to prosper through the '70s and early '80s, surviving every prevalent trend in music. Just as noteworthy was the members’ own relationship which survived almost intact from their inception. Lucius McGill left when they were still known as the El-Rays and the only further change occurred in 1958 when Funches was replaced by ex-Flamingo Johnny Carter (b. 2 June 1934, Chicago, Illinois, USA). Marvin Junior took over as lead and Carter took first tenor. Funches gave his reason for leaving as being ‘tired of the constant touring’. The Dells’ enduring music is a tribute to their longevity.