Zoneboy
06-02-2013, 04:33 AM
Link (http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/20464041-421/marvin-junior-dead-at-77-was-lead-singer-for-the-dells.html)
For much of today’s listening audience, the Dells are a distant echo from some velvet canyon.
The doo-wop and soul quintet formed 60 years ago this year under the streetlights of Harvey. Their journey led them to a 2004 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They were inducted by actor-filmmaker Robert Townsend, who grew up on the West Side of Chicago and used the Dells as a template for his 1990 movie “The Five Heartbeats.”
Dells lead singer Marvin Junior died Wednesday of kidney failure at his home in Harvey. Seventy-seven years old, he was surrounded by friends and family.
The Dells’ catalog included seven gold singles, three gold albums and 25 top 40 hits.
The Dells began by singing gospel as freshmen at Thornton Township High School. The group cut its first record in 1954 under the name of the El Rays for the Chess/Cadet label. The ballad “Darling Dear, I Know” went nowhere, earning just $36 in royalties.
They renamed themselves the Dells after the Wisconsin tourist attraction.
For much of today’s listening audience, the Dells are a distant echo from some velvet canyon.
The doo-wop and soul quintet formed 60 years ago this year under the streetlights of Harvey. Their journey led them to a 2004 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They were inducted by actor-filmmaker Robert Townsend, who grew up on the West Side of Chicago and used the Dells as a template for his 1990 movie “The Five Heartbeats.”
Dells lead singer Marvin Junior died Wednesday of kidney failure at his home in Harvey. Seventy-seven years old, he was surrounded by friends and family.
The Dells’ catalog included seven gold singles, three gold albums and 25 top 40 hits.
The Dells began by singing gospel as freshmen at Thornton Township High School. The group cut its first record in 1954 under the name of the El Rays for the Chess/Cadet label. The ballad “Darling Dear, I Know” went nowhere, earning just $36 in royalties.
They renamed themselves the Dells after the Wisconsin tourist attraction.