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The Dells "Why Do You Have To Go" Vee-Jay 204 A 1957

The Dells started singing in 1953 in Harvey, Ill. They would soon got a contract with Checker. Originally called the El Rays, they released "Darling I Know" soon afterwards. Later, they moved to Vee Jay records of Chicago, and their fantastic career really took off. In a matter of years, they were the top group. Their smash hit, "Oh What A Nite" is now one of the all-time hits of R&B history. The group is composed of Jerry Funches, Michael McGIll, Verne Allison, Chas. Barksdale, and Marvin Junior. One of the most beloved of all the 50s groups is the Dells.

They practiced where they could: in school, in hallways, in a local ice cream parlor, on street corners (where, on one occasion, some music lover on high dumped a pail of water on them). Mickey McGill decided that the "El Rays" was a neat-sounding name; after all, it meant "the kings" in Spanish. In late 1953 or early 1954, they journeyed to Chicago to try out for Chess Records (Leonard Chess himself conducted the audition). Chess was impressed enough to set up a session.

On February 17, 1954, the El Rays recorded four sides: "Christine," "Darling, I Know," "Whing Ding All Night," and "So Long." On at least "So Long" (and possibly "Whing Ding All Night"), they're backing up Willie Dixon.

When nothing happened with the disc, Lucius McGill, who decided that he wasn't all that interested in show business, quit to get a "real" job. The five remaining El Rays crossed South Cottage Grove Avenue to see what Vee-Jay could do for them. (In those days, Chess was at #4750; Vee-Jay was at 4747.) Not only did Vivian and Jimmy Bracken's Vee-Jay Records welcome them with open arms, but also got them to give up on that clunky (and, did I mention, incorrect) El Rays name. Now they were the "Dells."

The Dells Almost a year to the day after their Checker session (February 19, 1955), the Dells recorded "Tell The World" and "Goodbye" for Vee-Jay. While "Tell The World" was a great way to start things off, I imagine that "Goodbye" was somewhat less than perfect, since it has still to see the light of day. When it came time for Vee-Jay to release "Tell The World" (April 1955), they backed it with "Blues At Three," a Count Morris instrumental that had been sitting in the can since December 20, 1953.

By the late summer of 1956, Chuck Barksdale had returned to the Dells, in time for their September 5 session. That day they recorded "It Takes Time," "I Wanna Go Home," "When You Kiss Me," and "Movin' On."

The Dells' next session was held on January 11, 1957, when they recorded: "Why Do You Have To Go," "A Distant Love," "Dance, Dance, Dance," "Pain In My Heart," and "You're Still In My Heart."

The next week (January 18), they were back at the Apollo, this time with a Hal Jackson show. Also on the bill were Bill Doggett, the 3 Friends, Gene & Eunice, Big Jay McNeely, Vickie Nelson, and Baby Lawrence.

Vee-Jay issued "Why Do You Have To Go," backed with "Dance, Dance, Dance." These were reviewed (both "excellent") on March 9, along with Bob ("The Wanderer") Kornegay's "The Man In The Phone Booth," the Moonglows' "Don't Say Goodbye," the Jivers' "Ray Pearl," the Colts' "Sheik Of Araby," Johnnie & Joe's "Over The Mountain, Across The Sea," the Crystals' "I Love My Baby," and Dale (Sam Cooke) Cook's "Forever." On April 13, "Why Do You Have To Go" was a Tip in Los Angeles.



Turntable used: Audio Technica AT-LP120 USB Direct Drive inputted straight into the sound card using the built-in pre-amp from the turntable.

Cartridge used: SHURE M78S using 78 3 mil needle..