Dells (Formed in 1952 as the El Rays, 1956 as The Dells)

As the El Rays, they cut their first record as early as 1953 ('Darling Dear I Know' for Checker), signed for Vee Jay in 1955 and changed their name to the Dells the following year. Their first R&B success was 'Oh What A Night' but they had already split and didn't actually know they had secured a success until told by members of the Moonglows; throughout this period, they were constantly breaking up, getting day jobs and reforming, always disappointed that they didn't seem able to sustain success.

They joined Chess in 1962 (although a complex agreement allowed them to continue to record for Vee Jay until its demise), hitting the national charts again with 'Stay In My Corner'. It was only when Chess teamed them up with the producer Bobby Miller and arranger Charles Stepney that they achieved a degree of chart consistency.
A series of R&B smashes followed, including a six minute reworking of 'Stay In My Corner', a remake of 'Oh What A Night', 'I Can Sing A Rainbow/Love Is Blue', 'The Love We Had' and the million selling 'Give Your Baby A Standing Ovation'. There used to be an MCA/Chess anthology "On My Corner: The Best Of The Dells" which was re-released as part of the Chess 50th Anniversary celebrations, but it's already deleted. The 2CD "Anthology" import is expensive, but you will simply not find a better example of vocal group harmony anywhere - and it covers both the Vee Jay and Chess periods. Another compilation worth having is the 2CD "Standing Ovation: the Very Best Of The Dells", which is a cheaper alternative. Get whichever you find in print!

The Dells left Chess in 1975 but continued to find their way into the R&B charts throughout the 70s and 80s with recordings on the Mercury, ABC and 20th Century labels. However, the Chess anthology is the one to buy, closely followed by a compilation of their Vee Jay recordings such as "Dreams Of Contentment".
The Dells have even had a 1991 film based on their long and fabulous career. The soundtrack to "The Five Heartbeats" provided them with their last major hit ('The Heart Is The House Of Love') and is in itself a worthwhile purchase.
Quite simply, the Dells are one of the greatest vocal groups in the world and everyone should have one compilation of their most celebrated work.