Archie Lee Bell (born September 1, 1944) is an American solo singer and former lead singer of
Archie Bell & the Drells.
Background
Born to
African-American parents Langston and Ruthie Bell in
Henderson, Texas, United States, Archie is the second oldest of seven brothers, including
USC and
NFL football player
Ricky Bell and Jerry Bell, a former world
karate champion and singer in the bands
New Birth and the
Dazz Band. 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]
Bell became known around the world for the hit that he had with the Drells, "
Tighten Up". He has pursued a solo career since the breakup of the Drells in 1980. 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 line-up 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 has also recorded some
country music, having professed a love for that genre.[3]Tommy Allsup, country producer and former member of
Bob Wills' Texas Playboys, recruited Bell to sing "Warm Red Wine", which appeared on an album with songs from
Glen Campbell,
Tanya Tucker and
Roy Clark. On May 5, 2021 Bell suffered a stroke on the right side of his body.[4]
Discography
Singles
Archie Bell & The Drells
"She's My Woman, She's My Girl" / "Love Will Rain on You" – Ovide 222 [1967]
"A Soldier's Prayer" / "One in One" – Ovide 226 [1967]