Died On This Date (May 29, 2013) Marvin Junior / Co-Founder Of The Dells
themusicsover 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.
What You Should Own
Johnny Carter was a tenor vocalist in the doo wop groups, the Flamingos and later, the Dells. He joined the Dells in 1960, and stayed with them for the better part of 50 years. Elected into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of both the Flamingos and the Dells, Carter is one of a select few that have been inducted twice. He passed away on August 21, 2009 at the age of 75. Co-founder, 
Eddie Hinton was one of those great unknowns. As a session guitarist within the legendary Muscle Shoals Sound Rhythm Section, his brilliance can be heard on hits by the likes of 