Archie Bell & the Drells
Archie Bell and the Drells had an eight-year run of recording success. Archie Bell formed the group in 1966 and they first recorded on the Ovide label.
After “Tighten Up” was initially released it picked up steam first in Houston – the group’s base – and then the group was signed to Atlantic Records.
Bell was stationed in Germany, not Viet Nam when he injured his leg in a truck accident.
The original members included Bell, Billy Butler, James Wise and Willie Parnell. In 1969 the Drells recorded their second album, “I Can’t Stop Dancing” sans Archie who was still serving. His brother Lee Bell took his place during this time.
Bell would return and the group would continue on until 1980 at which time they disbanded, and Archie Bell would go solo. During the post-Drells years the group has often gotten back together to perform live.
Archie Bell & Drells Timeline
September 15th, 1968 – The Daily News Journal
October 1st, 1969 – The News & Observer
August 7th, 1970 – The News & Observer
February 25th, 1971 – The Denton Record-Chronicle
September 9th, 1972 – The Honolulu Advertiser
May 12th, 1973 – The News & Observer
February 20th, 1974 – The Roanoke Times
September 12th, 1974 – News and Record
April 25th, 1975 – The Atlanta Journal
September 11th, 1976 – The Atlanta Journal
April 21st, 1978 – The Jackson Sun
Archie Bell is still with us today! (June 2024)
Archie Bell & Drells Discography
1967 – “She’s My Woman, She’s My Girl” b/w “The Yankee Dance”
July 1967 – “She’s My Woman, She’s My Girl” b/w “The Yankee Dance”
September 1967 – “A Soldier’s Prayer 1967” b/w “On in One”
November 1967 – “Dog Eat Dog” b/w “Tighten Up”
Charted in Houston on KYOK #14
March 1968 – “Tighten Up” #1 R&B – #1 Pop – #55 UK
This was the intended “B” Side until jocks noticed Houston teens wanting to hear and dance to the song – Atlantic released the record replacing the “A” side and adding part 2.
May 1968 – “She’s My Woman, She’s My Girl” b/w “The Yankee Dance”
July 1968 – “I Can’t Stop Dancing” #5 R&B – #9 Pop
September 1968 – “Do the Choo Choo” #17 R&B – #44 Pop
November 1968 – “Love Will Rain on You” #25 R&B
December 1968 – (“There’s Gonna be A) Showdown” – #6 R&B – #21 Pop
March 1969 – “I Love My Baby” #40 R&B – #90 Pop
April 1969 – “Just a Little Closer” #128 Bubbling Under
June 1969 – “Girl You’re Too Young” #13 R&B – #69 Pop
September 1969 – “My Balloon’s Going Up” #36 R&B – #87 Pop
December 1969 – “A World Without Music” #46 R&B – #90 Pop
January 1970 – “Here I Go Again” #112 Bubbling Under
April 1970 – “Don’t Let the Music Slip Away” #100 Pop
November 1970 – “Wrap It Up” #33 R&B – #93 Pop
March 1973 – “Dancing to Your Music” #11 R&B – #61 Pop
June 1973 – “Ain’t Nothing for a Man in Love/What’s on a Woman’s Mind” – #36 R&B
1975 – “Dance Your Troubles Away” #11 Dance (LP Track)
June 1975 – “I Could Dance All Night” #25 R&B – #51 UK
December 1975 – “The Soul City Walk” – 42 R&B – #13 UK
February 1976 – “Let’s Groove” #7 R&B – #3 Dance
April 1977 – “Everybody Have a Good Time” #68 R&B – #43 UK
September 1977 – “Glad You Could Make It’ #63 R&B
January 1978 – “I’ve Been Missing You” #56 R&B
August 1979 – “Strategy” #21 R&B
May 1981 – “Any Time is Right” #49 R&B – #53 Dance (Archie Bell)
July 1981 – “I Never Had it so Good”
ARCHIE BELL & DRELLS LONG PLAY DISCOGRAPHY
April 1968 – “Tighten Up” #142
November 1968 – “I Can’t Stop Dancing”
June 1969 – “There’s Gonna Be a Showdown” #163
November 1975 – “Dance Your Troubles Away” #95
November 1976 – “Where Will You To When the Party’s Over”
September 1977 – “Hard Not to Like It”
September 1979 – “Strategy”
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