Verne Allison, founding member of The Dells, dies at 90

The longtime second tenor and songwriter Verne Allison helped shape the unmistakable harmonies of “The Dells” across nearly six decades

Verne Allison, a founding member and longtime second tenor of legendary R&B group The Dells, has died at 90.

SoulTracks reported his death on Oct. 7, noting that Allison was an essential part of the vocal blend that helped make the group one of soul music’s most enduring acts.

Allison was part of the group’s original formation in Harvey, Illinois. High school friends Marvin Junior, Charles “Chuck” Barksdale, Johnny Funches, Allison and brothers Michael “Mickey” and Lucius McGill formed the El-Rays in the early 1950s. The group eventually became The Dells and scored its first major success with the 1956 doo-wop classic “Oh What A Night.”

Allison also contributed as a songwriter, writing Dells recordings including “Dry Your Eyes” and “Movin’ On.” By the 1960s, The Dells had developed the vocal style that would define their career. It combined Marvin Junior’s powerful baritone and Johnny Carter’s soaring falsetto with the harmonies of Allison, McGill and Barksdale.

The group went on to record classics including “Stay in My Corner,” “There Is,” and “Give Your Baby A Standing Ovation.” The Dells continued recording and touring through the 1970s and 1980s before receiving renewed attention through Robert Townsend’s 1991 film The Five Heartbeats. The film drew heavily from the experiences of vocal groups such as The Dells.

The group recorded “A Heart Is a House for Love” for the film’s soundtrack, giving The Dells another major R&B hit more than three decades after their debut. Allison continued performing with the group after undergoing successful triple-bypass heart surgery in 2000. The Dells eventually ended their performing career around 2012 after roughly six decades together. In 2004, they were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Over the years, The Dells lost several members of their historic lineup. Johnny Funches died in 1998, Johnny Carter died in 2009, Marvin Junior died in 2013, Lucius McGill died in 2014, and Chuck Barksdale died in 2019.

With Allison’s death, Michael “Mickey” McGill is now the last surviving member of the Dells’ classic lineup. Allison’s musical legacy also continued through his son, musician and producer Verne “VA” Allison Jr.