| Originally released on their 1969 album "Love Is Blue" A US soul vocal and close harmony group formed in 1953 as the El-Rays, when the members - Johnny Funches (b. 18 July 1935, d. 23 January 1998; 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 Records 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 R&B chart), one of the era's best-loved black harmony performances and the Dells" last hit for 10 years. In 1965, the Dells 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 USA, including "Open Up My Heart" (1970), "Give Your Baby A Standing Ovation" (1973) and "I Miss You" (1974). The Dells ... |
