Archie Bell is 70 years old today. Born in Henderson, Texas, Bell is solo singer and former lead singer of Archie Bell & the Drells. Born to parents Langston and Ruthie Bell, Archie is the second oldest of seven brothers, and the brother of USC and NFL football player Ricky Bell, and former world karate champion and singer, Jerry Bell. He also is related to the record producer, Thom Bell. Bell was singing in Houston night clubs at age ten, and credits seeing the performances of Jackie Wilson and Sam Cooke as influencing him to become a singer. He formed the Drells in 1966 while in high school. He became known around the world for the hit that he had with the Drells, Tighten Up. Since the breakup of the Drells in 1980, Archie Bell has pursued a solo career. Bell later released one solo album (I Never Had It So Good - 1981) on Beckett Records and continued to perform with The Drells off and on for the next twenty years. In more recent times, Bell has been diversifying his repertoire to include blues, and has recorded a blues album. He also has recorded some country music, having professed a love for that genre. Country producer and former member of Bob Wills Texas Playboys, Tommy Allsup, recruited Bell to sing Warm Red Wine, which appeared on an album with songs from Glen Campbell, Tanya Tucker and Roy Clark. Here is Archie Bell and the Drells performing “Everybody Have a Good Time” in 1976.
Posted on: Sun, 31 Aug 2014 04:15:08 +0000
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