“Tighten Up” singer Archie Bell ailing in Houston medical facility
Info from SoulTracks.com:
Legendary Houston singer Archie Bell, the leader of the vocal group Archie Bell & The Drells, is currently hospitalized in a Houston nursing facility. Bell’s health has been a challenge since his 2021 stroke, but today on his Facebook page, Bell's team posted the following message:
Thanks to all the messages to Archie. Archie is still in a facility from his medical condition. He sends his love to all. He said to always remember, to Tighten Up! Keep Archie in your thoughts and prayers.
Archie Bell & the Drells was one of the most enjoyable [but often overlooked] dance groups of the late 60s and early 70s. While their funky Texas [and later Philadelphia] sound was often overshadowed by the music coming from Detroit and Memphis, their contribution to the musical landscape of the time was significant -- and always funky.
Archie Bell was born in Henderson, Texas, but moved as an infant to Houston. He began singing in the church choir by the time he was ten, and as a teen he formed the Drells [made to rhyme with Bell] with friends Willie Parnell, James Wise and Billy Butler. The group wona number of local talent competitions and received an introduction to popular DJ Skipper Lee Frazier, who helped them put together their first recordings. One of these, 1968's "Tighten Up," was recorded just before Bell went overseas on military duty. Beginning with the line "Hi everybody! I'm Archie Bell of the Drells from Houston, Texas," the funky dance cut [reminiscent of the sound James Brown was popularizing at the time] became a local favorite and was picked up for national distribution by Atlantic Records. "Tighten Up" turned into an international smash. Surprised by the record's success, the group hurriedly recorded the much awaited accompanying album while Bell was on leave from the military.
Around this time the group met with hot young songwriters Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff and became the an important foundation for Gamble & Huff's fledgling production empire and, later, their Philadelphia International Records label. Songs like "I Can't Stop Dancing," "Showdown" and "Do the Choo Choo" established Archie Bell and the Drells as one of the premiere dance groups of the late 60s and early 70s. The hits became more sporadic as the decade wore on, though the group scored big on the Soul charts with "I Could Dance All Night" and "Let's Groove." Ultimately, Gamble & Huff's focus on younger artists and their growing corporate empire left the Drells a second tier act at PIR and the group faded from sight after landing one final moderate hit, 1979's "Strategy."
The Drells broke up in the early 80s, but Bell continued on as a solo artist and then with a reconstituted set of Drells, playing the oldies circuit. By the mid-90s, Bell was solo again, singing his classic hits at venues in the U.S. and internationally, and playing a number of charity concerts to benefit other, less fortunate artists.
