Archie Bell
| Archie Bell | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1944, USA |
| Genres | Soul music, funk, Blues, Country music |
| Occupations | Musician, songwriter |
| Instruments | vocals |
| Years active | 1960's |
| Associated acts | Archie Bell & the Drells, Jerry Bell |
Archie Lee Bell (born on September 1, 1944, in Henderson, Texas) is an African-American solo singer and former lead singer of Archie Bell & the Drells.
Contents |
[edit] Bio
[edit] Background
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 producer Thom Bell.[1]
[edit] Career
He 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.[2]
Archie Bell 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. During the 1990s the lineup also included Steve "Stevie G." Guettler (guitar, vocals), Jeff "JT" Strickler (bass guitar, vocals), Steve Farrell (guitar, vocals), Mike Wilson (keyboards, vocals) and Wes Armstrong (drums, vocals) of the Atlanta based group The Rockerz.
In more recent times Bell has been diversifying his repertoire to include "blues", and has recorded a Blues CD. He also has recorded some Country music, having professed a love for country.[3] Country producer and former member of Bob Wills' Texas Playboys, Tommy Allsup had recruited Bell to sing "Warm Red Wine" which would appear on an album with songs from Glen Campbell, Tanya Tucker and Roy Clark etc.[4]
[edit] Discography
[edit] Single
- The Kays Band featuring Archie Bell - Soul'd Out - Major Records MR 906 (12")
- "Any Time Is Right" / "Without You" - Becket Records BKA 45-4 - 1981 (7") [5]
- "Any Time Is Right" / "Why Didja Do Me" - Becket BKD-501 - 1981 (12") [6]
- Touchin' You" / "Touchin' You" (Instrumental) - WMOT Records WMOT-101 - 1982 (12") [7]
[edit] Album
- I Never Had It So Good - Becket 013 - 1981 [8]
[edit] References
- ^ Soulwalking jerry bell
- ^ Blues Music Now Getting tight with Archie Bell by Amelia Feathers
- ^ The Austin Chronicle Spotlight: Archie Bell
- ^ roctober.com I'M ARCHIE BELL AND THE DRELLS By James Porter
- ^ Discogs Archie Bell - Any Time Is Right
- ^ Discogs Archie Bell - Any Time Is Right
- ^ Discogs Archie Bell - Touchin' You
- ^ Discogs Archie Bell - I Never Had It So Good
