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Photo of Archie Bell courtesy of
Sean Hillegass
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Music Legends
Part 2: Archie Bell and the Drells
By Sean Hillegass 04.16.07
Archie Bell was the lead singer for one of the top regional bands in the southwest - Archie Bell and the Drells. In 1968 and 1969 the band released three hit albums: “Tighten Up,” “I Can’t Stop Dancing” and “There’s Gonna Be A Showdown.” These titles were also the names of their hit singles.
Bell, who had been singing professionally since the age of 10, was influenced by Sam Cooke and Jackie Wilson. In 1967, Bell, a Houston native, received his draft notice to report to the U. S. Army’s training facility in Louisiana-Fort Polk.
While home on furlough, Bell’s friend and fellow band member Billy Butler started doing a dance named “Tighten Up.” Bell was unfamiliar with the dance and was inspired to write lyrics for the dance. By April 1968, “Tighten Up” by Archie Bell and the Drells was the number one song in the country.
Quotes from Archie Bell about the three hit albums:
“I Can’t Stop Dancing” – This was the first of many hit singles that Gamble and Huff wrote for us.
“There’s Gonna Be A Showdown”- (Kenny) Gamble and I were at dance contest being held in a cafeteria when he got the idea for this song.
l“Tighten Up” – This was originally the “B” side to “Dog Eat Dog.” Only later was “Tighten Up” put on the “A” side.
