On this day in music history: May 18, 1968 - “Tighten Up” by Archie Bell & The Drells hits #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 2 weeks, also topping the R&B singles chart for 2 weeks on the same date. Written by Archie Bell and Billy Butler, the Houston, TX based R&B vocal group will record the song at the Jones Town Studio in October of 1967. Originally released on the small independent label Ovide Records, the song will become a regional hit in Texas, before attracting the attention of Atlantic Records who will pick up the single for national distribution. Entering the Hot 100 at #81 on March 30, 1968, it will climb to the top of the chart seven weeks later. At the time, Bell is serving in the Army during the Vietnam War, is injured and recovering in a hospital from his injuries. With the group unable to make personal appearances to promote the record, numerous fake groups claiming to be the real Archie Bell & The Drells begin surfacing to take advantage of the groups’ inactivity by using the groups’ name, including nine white men out of Nashville, TN!! “Tighten Up” is certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.
Posted on: Sun, 18 May 2014 23:24:00 +0000
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