Johnny Carter of The Dells Dies at 74
Lead singer Johnny Carter of The Dells died of lung cancer at Ingalls Memorial Hospital in Harvey, Il at the age of 74. Carter, a south side of Chicago native, was responsible for hits like “Oh, What A Night” and the group served as the inspiration for the movie “The Five Heartbeats.” The Mighty Dells, as they were commonly referred to, were also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Carter joined the group in 1960 when Johnny Funches left to spend time with his family because he was tired of touring. This is the last time the group would change members. This same year The Dells successfully auditioned to become both the opening act and the backup group for Dinah Washington. Over the years, The Dells popularity began to decline, and which influenced a transition from a vocal group to a smooth R & B soul group.
I’m sure that Chicago Steppers fell in love with The Dells during the smooth R&B era. One of the first Dells tracks that I recognize from the Steppers scene is the 1971 produced track “The Love We Had Stays On My Mind.” Still, the group’s popularity didn’t resurge until 1980 when the Chi-Lights Eugene Record produced “I Touched A Dream,” also a popular Steppers jam. Also, on that album was one of my favorite Steppers records of all time, the silky smooth track “Passionate Breezes.”
Carter continued performing throughout the 80’s and 90’s with The Dells, releasing “Reminiscing” with them in 2000, nearly 50 years after the group first formed.
The Dells have been together as a group for dam near 50 YEARS...
Lead singer Johnny Carter of The Dells died of lung cancer at Ingalls Memorial Hospital in Harvey, Il at the age of 74. Carter, a south side of Chicago native, was responsible for hits like “Oh, What A Night” and the group served as the inspiration for the movie “The Five Heartbeats.” The Mighty Dells, as they were commonly referred to, were also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Carter joined the group in 1960 when Johnny Funches left to spend time with his family because he was tired of touring. This is the last time the group would change members. This same year The Dells successfully auditioned to become both the opening act and the backup group for Dinah Washington. Over the years, The Dells popularity began to decline, and which influenced a transition from a vocal group to a smooth R & B soul group.
I’m sure that Chicago Steppers fell in love with The Dells during the smooth R&B era. One of the first Dells tracks that I recognize from the Steppers scene is the 1971 produced track “The Love We Had Stays On My Mind.” Still, the group’s popularity didn’t resurge until 1980 when the Chi-Lights Eugene Record produced “I Touched A Dream,” also a popular Steppers jam. Also, on that album was one of my favorite Steppers records of all time, the silky smooth track “Passionate Breezes.”
Carter continued performing throughout the 80’s and 90’s with The Dells, releasing “Reminiscing” with them in 2000, nearly 50 years after the group first formed.
The Dells have been together as a group for dam near 50 YEARS...
