We Remember: Marvin Junior, Lead Singer of The Dells Passes Away

Marvin Junior (photo, courtesy of www.JuiceFreeWithSoul.com)

*Word has come to EUR that Mr. Marvin Junior, the long time surviving lead singer extraordinaire of the mighty, mighty Dells went home to glory today (05-29-13).

Unfortunately we don’t have any specific details of his death, but according to a May 23, 2013 report in the Soulful Detroit blog, Mr. Junior was reported to be very ill “and is not expected to be with us for very much longer.” The report also mentioned that another member of The Dells, Mr. Chuck Barksdale, was also very ill.

We’ll have more details as they become available.

Marvin Junior Bio via AllMusic.com:
As the lead singer of the Dells, Marvin Junior‘s warm, earnest baritone vocals helped define the Harvey, IL, R&B/soul music group during its ’60s/’70s heyday (along with Johnny Carter’s mesmerizing falsetto). One example of his vocal prowess is his ability at holding a note, as heard on the 1968 remake of their own “Stay in My Corner.”

It’s no secret that producers Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff wanted Marvin Junior on their Philadelphia International Records label. When the group signed to Chess, they went with the similar-sounding Teddy Pendergrass. Gamble & Huff finally got to work with the Dells in 1992 on the I Salute You album.

Junior, along with the rest of the Dells, was a key influence on Robert Townsend in the making of his movie The Five Heartbeats. In the early ’50s, the group initially formed as the El Rays when the members were students at Thornton Township High School. The lineup was Marvin Junior, Johnny Funches, Verne Allison, Chuck Barksdale, Mickey McGill, and his brother Lucius. After doing their share of street-corner harmonizing, the vocal group auditioned for Leonard Chess of Chess Records in nearby Chicago. Their first release on Chess’ Checker imprint was the a cappella song “Darling I Know” with “Christine” on the flip side. The 45 was a small regional hit. Not long afterwards, Lucius McGill quit the group. Now a quintet, the group was taken under the wing of Harvey Fuqua of the Moonglows who schooled the group on five-part vocal harmony.

He was one of my favorite voices in soul music. My heart aches.

I really shouldn't have listened to "I Touched A Dream" just now. This has been a heavy couple of weeks with passings in music. RIP!

funkyslsistah said:

I really shouldn't have listened to "I Touched A Dream" just now. This has been a heavy couple of weeks with passings in music. RIP!

I've been listening since I found out.

Stymie said:

He was one of my favorite voices in soul music. My heart aches.

I know right!

Noooooooooooo!!!!!

I was in the mood for The Dells this past weekend and were playing just about every song in their catalog.

R.I.P. Marvin Junior

This entire show is great.

Besides the classics "Oh What A Night" and "Stay in My Corner" these are a few of my favorites.

"There Is"

"The Love We Had Stays on My Mind"

"It's All Up to You"

[Edited 5/29/13 20:11pm]

R.I.P. Marvin

Stymie said:

funkyslsistah said:

I really shouldn't have listened to "I Touched A Dream" just now. This has been a heavy couple of weeks with passings in music. RIP!

I've been listening since I found out.

Thanks!

R.I.P. Loved his voice

Favorite songs: Stay In My Corner, The Love We Had Stays On My Mind, Standing Ovation, Oh What a Night

He possessed a rich baritone which anchored the Dells and propelled them to soul greatness.

Rest peacefully, Marvin.

[Edited 5/30/13 11:08am]

A legend

STICKY!!!!

RIP Marvin Jr. Thanks for sharing your gift with the world. What A Voice! 'OH WHATA NIIIGHT do oo oo oo... OOOOH WHATA NIIIGHT do oo oo oo' -- One of my all time favorites. wow... again THANK YOU.

[Edited 5/31/13 4:48am]

[Edited 5/31/13 4:50am]

I just saw this. I've stayed away from the News for a few days...

~ ~ ~*~ Rest In Peace ~*~ Mr. Junior ~*~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~ ~

[Edited 6/7/13 2:44am]

Stymie said:

He was one of my favorite voices in soul music. My heart aches.

Beloved, I know how you feel. @)-}----

funkyslsistah said:

I really shouldn't have listened to "I Touched A Dream" just now. This has been a heavy couple of weeks with passings in music. RIP!