Archie Bell And The Drells

[Sceneman]

how many times did they play in the UK and where if they ever did ?

shame they had a short shelf life , 3 years of 60s good consistently good stuff then they faded .

i read archie was shot in vietnam while on duty .

well ahead of his time for 67 68 69 period ..

Edited November 8, 2013 by sceneman

[Ian Dewhirst]

how many times did they play in the UK and where if they ever did ?

shame they had a short shelf life , 3 years of 60s good consistently good stuff then they faded .

i read archie was shot in vietnam while on duty .

well ahead of his time for 67 68 69 period ..

 

Actually, they had a pretty good run in the 70's and 80's with Philly International too don't forget. In fact, all their UK Top 40 hits came in the 70's.....

 

11 Archie Bell & The Drells Here I Go Again Oct 1972   36 Archie Bell & The Drells There's Gonna Be A Showdown Jan 1973   13 Archie Bell & The Drells Soul City Walk May 1976  

 

Ian D 

[Windlesoul]

As Ian says there's a tad more to them than that!

 

TSU Toronadoes feature in my next book, watch this space

Edited November 8, 2013 by Windlesoul

[Peter99]

how many times did they play in the UK and where if they ever did ?

shame they had a short shelf life , 3 years of 60s good consistently good stuff then they faded .

i read archie was shot in vietnam while on duty .

well ahead of his time for 67 68 69 period ..

Archie is still alive and kicking isn't he?

 

Peter

[Sceneman]

yep he is

[Peter99]

yep he is

I thought you said you thought he had been shot in Vietnam - ah, sorry, I think I may have misunderstood your post.

 

Sorry.

 

Peter

 

[Kev Cane]

Actually, they had a pretty good run in the 70's and 80's with Philly International too don't forget. In fact, all their UK Top 40 hits came in the 70's.....

 

11 Archie Bell & The Drells Here I Go Again Oct 1972   36 Archie Bell & The Drells There's Gonna Be A Showdown Jan 1973   13 Archie Bell & The Drells Soul City Walk May 1976  

 

Ian D 

Roger that Ian, "Don,t let love get you down" "Everybody have a good time" to name another couple of very good soul records, "Dancin to your music" on Glades was another quality record aswell

 

Best

 

Kev

[kevinsoulman]

PRETTY SURE HE WAS DUE IN FLEETWOOD A FEW YEARS AGO BUT I THINK THE  I R S  PREVENTED THAT VISIT  KEV ROBERTS WOULD KNOW

KEV

[Sean Hampsey]

For a guy who didn't have the greatest voice, he sure made some great records.

Fond memories of 1971 first hearing "Here I Go Again" and blowing my mind to pieces!

Sean

[Peter99]

For a guy who didn't have the greatest voice, he sure made some great records.

Fond memories of 1971 first hearing "Here I Go Again" and blowing my mind to pieces!

Sean

Good Evening Mr H

 

I hope you and yours are all well.

 

Good shout - nice record, lots going for it and very soulful.

 

Archie Bell and the Drells - available, and therefore typically underrated.

 

All the best mate.

 

Peter

 

[Rodders22]

PRETTY SURE HE WAS DUE IN FLEETWOOD A FEW YEARS AGO BUT I THINK THE  I R S  PREVENTED THAT VISIT  KEV ROBERTS WOULD KNOW

KEV

. Kev, I can remember in the early 2000 Archie Bell & Drells where due to play at the Cala Gran, Fleetwood. Like you said and we were told it was down to the American Tax men taken his passport from him. I was very disappointed to say the least. Funny thing is ! One of my Favourite singles is A British only (Where will you go when the party is over) He did'nt make the party:::Rod Clegg

[Addio]

Here I Go Again was the first record that really got me interested in Soul music. Remains one of my favourites after all these years. 

Tighten Up & Theres Gonna Be A Showdown are also tracks that I remember with fondness.

[Jordirip]

Always a favourite. Archie's best stuff was with Philly Int.

 

[Guest Paul]

how many times did they play in the UK and where if they ever did ?

shame they had a short shelf life , 3 years of 60s good consistently good stuff then they faded .

i read archie was shot in vietnam while on duty .

well ahead of his time for 67 68 69 period ..

 

I know they toured the UK in 1977 because I interviewed Archie for Black Echoes.

 

It was after a show at the Mayfair in Newcastle and CBS were pleased because it made the front page - using a photo taken at a London show a few days later.

On that tour his band was called The Bell System Dance Band and featured his brother (Lee?) and I think I also met Archie's son that night. It was a great show and from what I remember it was a full house.

 

Archie's a lovely man and I was amazed that he remembered it many years later.

 

Paul

 

[Ian Dewhirst]

Archie Bell played the O2 last Friday night you nutters! Apparently he was the star of the show....

 

https://www.facebook.com/events/404731269631230/

 

Ian D 

[Guest Paul]

Roger that Ian, "Don,t let love get you down" "Everybody have a good time" to name another couple of very good soul records, "Dancin to your music" on Glades was another quality record aswell

 

Best

 

Kev

 

 

Hello Kev, I love "Dancing To Your Music" on Glades, great Phillip Mitchell song and production, it really should have been a hit.

Archie's definitely underrated.

 

[Guest Paul]

I don't want to wander from the main topic but... what the hell, Archie Bell cut two of the best soul records ever made...

 

'I Love My Baby' (1968)

'Girl You're Too Young' (1969)

Not only that, these tracks define that wonderful period when the Philly sound was really starting to come together.

 

Timeless.


 

 

 

[kevinsoulman]

I don't want to wander from the main topic but... what the hell, Archie Bell cut two of the best soul records ever made...

 

'I Love My Baby' (1968)

'Girl You're Too Young' (1969)

Not only that, these tracks define that wonderful period when the Philly sound was really starting to come together.

 

Timeless.

 

 

 

 

nice paul i have the first one my self was it on the glades label? can't remember will have to look

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKAlLc-aQZo

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WicnP9K9rk

 

kev

[kevinsoulman]

i definitley have this on glades dancing to your music

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfsPfw8DjRY

kev

[kevinsoulman]

have always liked this despite the ian levine sound behind it   would love to hear it with proper instruments behind it 

kev

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrGDyZWow3s

[Rodders22]

I've played out Dancing to the music a few times! Response has always been good, but a lot didn't know it (could be because of Florida label) Myself I think it's one of the best. Rod

[Sjclement]

Here I go again and the Orlons Spinning Top started my progression from Motown to Northern Soul

[jocko]

Archie Bell played the O2 last Friday night you nutters! Apparently he was the star of the show....

 

https://www.facebook.com/events/404731269631230/

 

Ian D 

 

He was, the day before I came home and David D was there I think, not heard how it was

[jocko]

For a guy who didn't have the greatest voice, he sure made some great records.

Fond memories of 1971 first hearing "Here I Go Again" and blowing my mind to pieces!

Sean

 

You know Sean I used to think but have reappraised some of his early 70's stuff and I actually think the boy can sing better than most, I used to agree with you but headphones rather than speakers in the corner of a noisy room have changed my mind. 

[Pete S]

Saw them at Wigan in July 1977

[Windlesoul]

Always liked the midtempo 'You never know what's on a woman's mind' on Glades, since I first heard it on that quality Robin Salter tape that did the rounds about 25 years ago.

[Cunnie]

PRETTY SURE HE WAS DUE IN FLEETWOOD A FEW YEARS AGO BUT I THINK THE  I R S  PREVENTED THAT VISIT  KEV ROBERTS WOULD KNOW

KEV

Archie didn't come over for that event & a few others as he had not paid his child maintenance but that has now been paid for him by David Gest & he is touring all over Europe again as Ian has pointed out. He will also be featuring at the Baltic Soul weekender in Germany later in the year.

Talking about David Gest paying bills for folks so they can come to the UK watch this space..... 

[Guest son of stan]

Thought I'd mention this one (which actually credits 'TSU Toranados Band' on the label):

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bojzMyYMveo

 

Sounds a bit like Mr Soul / Al Scott in parts...

 

(love the guy looking through the centre of the record)

Edited November 9, 2013 by son of stan

[Mickjay33]

_{saw Archie Bell and the Drells in 77 at baileys in Leicester awesome}

[Guest Dave Turner]

For a guy who didn't have the greatest voice, he sure made some great records.

Fond memories of 1971 first hearing "Here I Go Again" and blowing my mind to pieces!

Sean

 

Yup, remember laying in bed with a tranny (transistor radio that is not transvestite  ) simply being knocked out every time "Here I Go Again" came on. Until that time I had heard nothing like it, absolutely blew me away and left me with a hunger to hear more of a similar. Led me to hearing "Tighten Up" "Showdown" etc.

 

Definitely one of my fave groups all these years. So much good stuff on 45 and LP

 

Nice take of the Impressions "I've Been Trying" on the "I Can't Stop Dancing" LP

 

Edited November 9, 2013 by Dave Turner

[Guest Dave Turner]

Love Will Rain On You - Atlantic 2559

 

 

Just A Little Closer - Atlantic 2612 

 

 

Mama Didn't Teach Me That Way

 

Edited November 9, 2013 by Dave Turner

[Daved]

He was, the day before I came home and David D was there I think, not heard how it was

Yeah I did. He was great . So was Glenn Jones. As Sean said above he doesn't have the greatest of voices but he has sung some fantastic songs.

He did Don't Let Love Get You Down, It's Hard Not to like You, Let's Groove, Tighten Up, Strategy and quite a few others. No 1000 Wonders though which was a pity because the brass section were great

[Mattbolton]

Archie Bell still has to be the most consistently soulful artist who ever recorded on Atlantic.

Even b-sides like Go For What You Know are fabulous examples of his talent.

And to take that talent to PIR and have such a swathe of brilliant records like 'Everybody Have A Good Time 'and 'Where Will You Go..' is testament to his ability to create soulful records through the whole range of black music.

It's a coin toss between Archie and The O'Jays for group soul supremacy.

[Tolbert]

So much fantastic A.B. songs.

 

The "harder and harder" 7 inch on Becket (UK only) is one of my favorites, also "old people".

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kq2ZOY05odo

[25miles]

For a guy who didn't have the greatest voice, he sure made some great records.

Fond memories of 1971 first hearing "Here I Go Again" and blowing my mind to pieces!

Sean

YES SEAN.......REMEMBER MY COPY DROPPIN' THRO LETTER BOX ONE SATURDAY MORNIN' [FROM CONTEMPO] THEN PICKIN UP ME B&SOUL MAG FROM PAPER SHOP, FINDING OUT IT HAD JUST BEEN REISSUED........KILLER TRACK

[Ncfc]

So much fantastic A.B. songs.

 

The "harder and harder" 7 inch on Becket (UK only) is one of my favorites, also "old people".

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kq2ZOY05odo

His best for me,quite hard to find on 45.Had a spare which i sold on here,wish i had another 10 copies.

[Windlesoul]

Picked these up a couple of months ago, variation on a theme, nice New Zealand one, and a Swedish with tasty pic cover...

Edited November 11, 2013 by Windlesoul

[Guest phillybuster]

'Archies in love' is a great track.

Edited November 11, 2013 by phillybuster

[Windlesoul]

Love this, on Glades..............

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJIoyb3eETc

Edited November 11, 2013 by Windlesoul

[Guest s0ul45]

Saw Archie and his contemporary 'Drells' in the 80's in Walthamstow at the club near the stadium. He was great, and remember going backstage and getting him to sing an accapella rendering of 'Girl, You're Too Young'. What a fantastic guy and I can't wait to see him again. Hopefully early in 2014.

Edited November 11, 2013 by s0ul45

[Guest oldsoulgit]

I'm sure he was on at the Ritz in Manchester In the mid 70s, met him in New Jersey along with Sidney Barnes, and Kenny Woods i think it was

2007.

Cheers Jim.

[bri phill]

Wish I could get this on a 45, cover of the O"Jays but much better.

 

Edited November 12, 2013 by bri. phill

[Jordirip]

This was one of the first 12" that I ever bought, '76 I think, and I still have it on regular play at home. It just features the most amazing playing from the Philly guys on guitars, brass, strings etc, the dynamics within the music are fantastic, dropping down and building up, it's a real tour de force and It should be compulsory listening in any school or college doing music and blow the minds of these kids wanting to start a band.

 

The mighty, mighty "Everybody have a good time".

 

[Kev Cane]

This was one of the first 12" that I ever bought, '76 I think, and I still have it on regular play at home. It just features the most amazing playing from the Philly guys on guitars, brass, strings etc, the dynamics within the music are fantastic, dropping down and building up, it's a real tour de force and It should be compulsory listening in any school or college doing music and blow the minds of these kids wanting to start a band.

 

The mighty, mighty "Everybody have a good time".

 

"Lets see what the Soul Train gang can do with this" great post Jordi, absolutely in a nutshell, have the 12 and on the album, regular in this house to

 

Kev

[Kev Cane]

 

My great mate Gaz Simon has just brought me this back from Austen Record Show, Texas, brilliant. However, another great version Billy Jones, on Catfish must be checked out

 

Kev

Edited November 12, 2013 by kev cane

[JOE TORQUAY]

like " old people " on tsop

[Barry]

Seems a bit mad now but I remember when - ...

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cziRRBlTuRQ

 

....,got re-issued in the 80's and it charted - and the Bizarre column in The Sun ran a 'Where's Archie Bell' strip for weeks as according to them he could not be contacted and had no idea of the success of DLLGYD.

 

They found him eventually, they sent a photographer out - half remember the pic...seems a world away.

[Daved]

I still like this. "My Balloon's Going Up" Chris Anderton used to rave about this.

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bC5zv77jw2Y

[Daved]

Archie Bell still has to be the most consistently soulful artist who ever recorded on Atlantic.

 

 Wow, that's a bold claim. What even more so than Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding or Wilson Picket?

[Pete S]

Archie Bell still has to be the most consistently soulful artist who ever recorded on Atlantic.

Even b-sides like Go For What You Know are fabulous examples of his talent.

And to take that talent to PIR and have such a swathe of brilliant records like 'Everybody Have A Good Time 'and 'Where Will You Go..' is testament to his ability to create soulful records through the whole range of black music.

It's a coin toss between Archie and The O'Jays for group soul supremacy.

 

I'll let the Four Tops, The Impressions and The Temptations know....

Edited November 12, 2013 by Pete S