The Dells - "Stay In My Corner" (1968) Tribute

Correction made on year released (except video)

The Dells are an R&B musical group who were one of the few groups to span music genres resulting in successful recordings surpassing more than four decades. Formed in 1952 after attending high school together, the Dells' repertoire has included doo-wop, jazz, soul, disco and contemporary rhythm and blues. Unlike many of their contemporaries, the group's lineup did not change much from 1960 and consisted, until 2009, of falsetto leader Johnny Carter (died August 21, 2009), baritone lead singer Marvin Junior and background singers Mickey McGill, Verne Allison and Chuck Barksdale.

The Dells grew up in Harvey, Illinois and began singing together while attending Thornton Township High School. Forming in 1952 under the name the El-Rays, the group initially consisted of Marvin Junior, Mickey McGill, Lucius McGill, Verne Allison, Chuck Barksdale and Johnny Funches. Two years later, the pared down quintet - Lucius left in 1954 - signed with the Chess brothers' Checker label and released a doo-wop single, "Darling I Know," that flopped.

In 1955, the group renamed themselves the Dells and signed with Vee-Jay Records. In 1956, they recorded their first hit, "Oh What a Night" (a song co-written by Johnny Funches, who also sang lead on the recording), which peaked at the top five of the R&B singles chart. It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc. The song is ranked #260 on the Rolling Stone magazine's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Follow-ups to the hit failed to make a similar impact. In 1958, a car accident threatened to derail the group with McGill nearly losing his leg in the accident. The group agreed to split up to bide time as McGill recovered.

Barksdale joined a new version of the doo-wop group The Moonglows. McGill eventually successfully recovered from his injury, with Barksdale returning to Illinois to rejoin the Dells in 1960, but not before Johnny Funches, frustrated with the group's slow progress, left permanently. He was replaced by Johnny Carter, formerly of The Flamingos.

It would be the final lineup change for the group as they went on to sing background for Dinah Washington, Ray Charles, and Barbara Lewis ("Hello Stranger", 1963). The group was also being vocally fine-tuned by Quincy Jones and began to include jazz and Broadway-styled show tunes as part of their live and recording acts.

Subsequent R&B hits included "Wear It On Our Face", "Always Together", "I Can Sing A Rainbow/Love Is Blue" and their first number-one R&B hit and first top ten pop hit, 1968's "Stay in My Corner", which reached number ten on the pop chart. This showcased both Carter and Marvin in lead vocals. It was not until 1969, however, that the group suddenly became R&B stars with their revival of their first hit, "Oh What a Night", re-produced under a classic soul format. Marvin Junior's husky lead vocal on the new version was in stark contrast to the smooth tenor of Johnny Funches on their original recording. The song was their second number-one hit on the R&B charts and their second top ten pop single, also becoming their signature song. The track sold over one million copies for the second time] Subsequent hits included "Open Up My Heart", "Oh What A Day" and "On The Dock Of The Bay".

Leaving Cadet around the end of 1974 with the parent company in financial difficulties, the group would continue recording under the Mercury, ABC, 20th Century Fox and Virgin labels finding some hits including 1980's "I Touched a Dream", which returned the group to the top forty on the R&B charts. The Dells were confined mostly to the oldies market afterwards until they were asked to be creative consultants to Robert Townsend's acclaimed 1991 musical, The Five Heartbeats, which was loosely based on the lives of the Dells. The group recorded a composition titled "A Heart Is a House for Love." The success of the song, issued on the movie's soundtrack, as it reached number thirteen on the R&B singles chart gave the Dells a jolt and helped to make them just the second group to chart singles in four consecutive decades after The Isley Brothers. The success resulted in the group being signed to the Philadelphia International label where they recorded the album I Salute You. In recent years, the Dells have kept a constant touring schedule still occasionally releasing albums including their latest, 2003's HOTT. In 2004, the group was inducted to both the Vocal Group Hall of Fame and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Original member Johnny Funches died of pneumonia on January 23, 1998, and his replacement Johnny Carter died of cancer on August 21, 2009.

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[neilx49]

I was blessed to have played sax in their road band 1973 to 1975. Really great guys!

[carression]

i may be young but its music like this that helps me to remember where i came from...my mother started me on track with old school, Its remarkable how i turned out just from listening to this type of music..gospel and old school hip hop...i have never been arrested, im in school..etc. all because of the household i was raised in and with God by my side...my friends called me old...some said i have an old soul...i just think im smooth like that.

[jcrossi56]

Hard to do this...so cool!!!

[cjlovely1]

I am a big DELL's fan, the harmonies are outstanding not to mention the lyrics. The way the song is orchestrated you can feel the angst of love and the wanting and needing that person that person you feel that you need more than your next breath and you want him or her to STAY!

[ortzruiz]

@Ms11041950 The memories that we keep forever when I hear stay in my corner I go back in time and it feels real good thanks for your reply.

[Ms11041950]

@ortzruiz I was 15 too! & fell in love with the boy across the street to this song. Who would have known that after all these years; I still have times when I look at him and have to remind myself; girl,...breathe! Thank you, baby, for the years & thanks to the Dells. You both made my virginity a serious challenge back in the day!

[Cch092775]

Thanks for that very through history of one of R&B's classic vocal groups The Dells. With Bobby Miller producing The Dells were constantly among the most popular vocal groups I remember "Does Anybody Know I'm Here'" "There Is" "Wear It On Your Face" "The Love We Had Stays On My Mind" just to name a few. I am sorry to hear of the passing of Johnny Carter. May The Dells continue to make history.

[donjaxutube]

@KIZERVONZINGER Who could ever forget the hot sweaty house parties...the wall grind...speaking in whispers and low voices...trying to "get over" and worrying that you'd get home after you were told to be there?

[gratzii1]

mercy.real music..

[KIZERVONZINGER]

Omg growing up in NY we had lot of low red lights and slow dancing back then! The kid today do not have any idea how good slow dancing is ;)

[ortzruiz]

I was 15 years old when I first heard this song, and am 59 years old now and I still love it real good memories it takes me back to the 60's

[pauldavis172]

I set in my din and learned all the parts to this song, so I can it to my wife at the time ya! it does bring back memories.