Archie Bell (singer)

Archie Bell
Birth name Archie Lee Bell
Born September 1, 1944 (1944-09) (age 72)
Henderson, Texas, United States
Genres Soul music, funk, blues, country music
Occupation(s) Musician, songwriter
Instruments Vocals
Years active 1961– present
Associated acts Archie Bell & the Drells, Jerry Bell

Archie Lee Bell (born September 1, 1944, Henderson, Texas, United States) is an African-American solo singer and former lead singer of Archie Bell & the Drells.

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 the record producer, Thom Bell.[1]

Career

Bell 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 1956 while in junior high school.[2]

He 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 album. He also has recorded some country music, having professed a love for that genre.[3] Country producer and former member of Bob Wills' Texas Playboys, Tommy Allsup, recruited Bell to sing "Warm Red Wine", which appeared on an album with songs from Glen Campbell, Tanya Tucker and Roy Clark.[4]

Discography

Singles

Archie Bell & The Drells

Albums

References

  1. "Jerry Bell Page". Soulwalking.co.uk. Retrieved 2015-10-13.
  2. "Archie Bell". Bluesmusicnow.com. 1979-12-22. Retrieved 2015-10-13.
  3. Beets, Greg (2006-03-17). "SXSW - Spotlight: Archie Bell: 7PM, Continental Club - Music". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 2015-10-13.
  4. "Archie Bell". Roctober.com. Retrieved 2015-10-13.
  5. "Archie Bell - Any Time Is Right (Vinyl)". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2015-10-13.
  6. "Archie Bell - Any Time Is Right (Vinyl)". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2015-10-13.
  7. "Archie Bell - Touchin' You (Vinyl)". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2015-10-13.
  8. "Archie Bell - I Never Had It So Good (Vinyl, LP, Album)". Discogs.com. 2011-03-09. Retrieved 2015-10-13.
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