The El Rays (Harvey, Illinois)
aka The Dells




Personnel :

Johnny Funches (Lead Tenor)

Michael "Mickey" McGill (Second Baritone)

Verne Allison (Tenor)

Lucius McGill (Tenor)

Marvin Junior (Baritone)

Chuck Barksdale (Bass)

Discography :

Singles:
1954 - Darling I Know / Christine (Checker 794)

Unreleased :
1954 - Whing Ding All Night (Checker)
1954 - So Long (Checker)

Biography :

The Dells were formed in 1953 in southern suburbs of Chicago, specifically the town of Harvey, Illinois, where all the members attended high school together. The original lineup featured lead baritone Marvin Junior, lead tenor Johnny Funches, tenors Verne Allison and Lucius McGill, second baritone Mickey McGill, and bass Chuck Barksdale.

Initially called the El-Rays, the group recorded their first single, "Darling I Know," for Chess Records subsidiary Checker that year; it flopped. Lucius McGill departed not long after, and wasn't replaced, cutting the group down to a quintet.

The Dells on Vee-Jay

Newly christened The Dells, they got another shot in 1955 when they signed to Vee-Jay.
http://www.uncamarvy.com/Dells/dells.html

Songs :

  
Darling I Know                                      Christine

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