caption website years_active alias label image_size article_title past_members background genre image origin name
the dells in 1967 -lsb- http://www.themightydells.com themightydells.com -rsb- 1952 -- 2012 the el-rays , the mighty dells cadet/chess 20th century fox , ichiban , virgin , philadelphia international , , volt vee jay , mercury , abc , 250px the dells
 marvin chuck barksdale johnny funches -lrb- deceased -rrb- lucius mcgill johnny junior carter -lrb- deceased -rrb- -lrb- deceased -rrb- verne allison mickey mcgill group_or_band r & b , doo-wop , soul the dells.png harvey , illinois , u.s. the dells
the dells

the dells were an american r&b vocal group .
formed in high school in 1952 by founding members marvin junior , verne allison , johnny funches , chuck barksdale , and mickey 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 reformed in 1960 with funches being replaced by johnny carter .
this lineup remained together until carter 's 2009 death .
the dells were inducted to the rock and roll hall of fame and the vocal group hall of fame in 2004 .
the band performed until illness forced longtime lead singer marvin junior and bass vocalist chuck barksdale into retirement , ending the group 's 60-year run .
