Marvin Junior
January 31, 1936 – May 29, 2013
Marvin Junior was a founding member of the influential doo-wop group, the Dells. Formed initially as the El-Rays in 1952, the vocal group released one single for Checker Records before changing their name and moving on to the legendary Vee-Jay Records in 1955. The following year, they released their first hit single, “Oh What A Night” which reached the Top 5 on the R&B charts and went on to sell over a million copies. Rolling Stone magazine lists it at #260 on their survey of the Top 500 Songs of All Time. The Dells went on to have several more Top 40 hits including “Stay In My Corner,” “There Is,” and “Always Together.” For over four decades, the group continued to tour and released more than 25 original albums which, in many cases, helped define their individual labels’ sound. The group recorded new material as recently as 2002’s Open Up My Heart: The 9/11 Album. In 1991, Junior and other members of the Dells worked as consultants on Robert Townsend‘s hit movie, The Five Heartbeats which was more or less inspired by them. They continued touring up until Marvin Junior, age 77, died in his sleep on May 29, 2013. He had reportedly been struggling from kidney failure and a weak heart. The group’s Johnny Carter passed away in 2009.
Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number 1 Albums for the assist.
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