The Dells were an American R&B vocal group formed in 1953 in high school by Marvin Junior, Verne Allison, Johnny Funches, Chuck Barksdale, and Michael and Lucius McGill as the El-Rays. They released their first recording in 1954 and had their first R&B hit with "Oh What a Night" in 1956. After a near-fatal car crash in 1958, they disbanded but re-formed in 1960 with Johnny Carter replacing Funches. This lineup remained until Carter''''''''s death in 2009. The Dells were inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004. They performed until illness forced Marvin Junior and Chuck Barksdale into retirement, ending their 60-year run.📀💎🎼🎶The group grew up in Harvey, Illinois, and started singing together at Thornton Township High School. Initially called the El-Rays, they became the Dells in 1955, signing with Vee-Jay Records. Their first hit, "Oh, What a Night," co-written by Funches and Marvin Junior, reached the R&B top 5 in 1956. After a 1958 car accident, they disbanded briefly, with Barksdale joining Harvey Fuqua''''''''s Moonglows. Reuniting in 1961, they replaced Funches with Johnny Carter. The Dells worked with Dinah Washington, opened for Ray Charles, and provided backing vocals for Barbara Lewis. Returning to Chess Records in 1966, they achieved success with hits like "There Is," "Stay in My Corner," and a 1969 remake of "Oh What a Night." Their other hits include "The Love We Had Stays on My Mind" and "Give Your Baby a Standing Ovation," their third gold record.


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