Archie Bell and The Drells

Archie Bell and The Drells

Archie Bell and The Drells are a soul group from Houston, United States, active from 1966 to 1980. The line-up includes Archie Bell, Lee Bell, Billy Buttier, Willie Pernell and James Wise. Their sound spans soul, funk, rhythm and blues, disco, northern soul, philly soul and southern soul.

History

Archie Bell is born in Henderson, Texas, and moves to Houston as a child. He forms the group in 1966 with James Wise, Willie Pernell and Billy Butler. The band first signs to the local Ovid label. Archie Bell is the brother of American footballer Ricky Bell.

Bell serves in Vietnam, and during that period the group releases “Tighten Up”, which Atlantic distributes. The single reaches both the R&B and pop charts. Its line “we dance just as good as we walk” becomes notable because Bell has been shot in the leg and is in a military hospital at the time. The success of the record leads to a rushed album release.

Recordings and chart success

In 1969, after Bell leaves the army, the group records its first full album with Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, I Can’t Stop Dancing. The album reaches number 28 on the R&B chart. The group becomes one of the main acts on Philadelphia International Records.

Their later hits include “I Can’t Stop Dancing”, “The Soul City Walk” and “Everybody Have A Good Time”. After weaker chart results in the late 1970s, the group splits in 1980.

After the group

Archie Bell later releases one solo album on Beckett Records.