◇ image via WikipediaThe Dells
The Dells is an act on the Starverb influence map. Their sound grew out of Barrett Strong, Chess Records, Terry Callier, Vee-Jay Records and Marvin Gaye. Those roots explain a lot about how The Dells arrange songs and choose their tones. They run in the same orbit as The Intruders, The Originals, The Moments, The Dramatics and The Chi-Lites, sharing audiences, venues and reference points rather than a straight line of influence. Their influence carried into The Massacre, Phil Upchurch, Maurice White, Frankie Beverly and Earth Wind and Fire, where the same ideas turn up rearranged for a later generation. Altogether the chart holds 43 connections around The Dells, reaching back through Barrett Strong and forward to The Massacre. Follow any of those threads to keep travelling the influence between bands and genres on Starverb.
Background
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.
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The Dells connections
The Dells grew out of Barrett Strong, Chess Records, Terry Callier and Vee-Jay Records, shares an orbit with The Intruders, The Originals, The Moments and The Dramatics, went on to shape The Massacre, Phil Upchurch, Maurice White and Frankie Beverly. 43 connections mapped across roots, kindred and legacy.
Who influenced The Dells
Sounds and acts that shaped The Dells.
Artists similar to The Dells
Artists and scenes sharing an orbit with The Dells.
- The Intrudersartist
- The Originalsartist
- The Momentsartist
- The Dramaticsartist
- The Chi-Litesartist
- Harold Melvin & the Blue Notesartist
- The Stylisticsartist
- Blue Magicartist
- Major Lanceartist
- The Four Topsartist
- L.T.D.artist
- Gene Chandlerartist
- The Driftersartist
- The Spinnersartist
- David Ruffinartist
- Smokey Robinsonartist
- Little Anthony & the Imperialsartist
- Bloodstoneartist
- The Persuadersartist
- Edwin Starrartist
- Brenton Woodartist
- Joe Simonartist
- The Whispersartist
- Tavaresartist
- The Manhattansartist
- James & Bobby Purifyartist
- Betty Everettartist
Bands The Dells shaped
Where the influence of The Dells travelled next.
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