Verne Allison, Founding Second Tenor of Soul Group The Dells, Dies at 90

Verne Allison, a founding member and longtime second tenor of the iconic R&B vocal group The Dells, has died at the age of 90. His passing was initially reported by SoulTracks on Oct. 7 and detailed by theGrio. Throughout a career spanning nearly six decades, Allison played a vital role in sculpting the trademark harmonies that transformed The Dells into one of the most respected and long-lasting ensembles in soul music history.

The group's origins trace back to Harvey, Illinois, where Allison gathered with his high school friends in the early 1950s. The original lineup featured Allison alongside Marvin Junior, Charles "Chuck" Barksdale, Johnny Funches, and brothers Michael "Mickey" McGill and Lucius McGill. Performing initially under the name the El-Rays, the group eventually renamed themselves The Dells. They earned their first major breakthrough in 1956 with the doo-wop record "Oh What A Night," which launched their national career.

In addition to supplying crucial second tenor harmonies, Allison served as a talented songwriter for the group. He wrote notable Dells tracks such as "Dry Your Eyes" and "Movin' On." As the 1960s arrived, The Dells solidified a definitive vocal formula. Their sound hinged on the contrast between Marvin Junior's commanding baritone and Johnny Carter's soaring falsetto, backed by the seamless harmonic foundation provided by Allison, Mickey McGill, and Chuck Barksdale.

This signature style yielded enduring hits including "Stay in My Corner," "There Is," and "Give Your Baby A Standing Ovation." The Dells remained a force across the music landscape, continuing to tour and release music through the 1970s and 1980s. In 1991, their historic influence reached a new audience when filmmaker Robert Townsend released "The Five Heartbeats." The movie relied heavily on the real-world stories of classic R&B groups like The Dells.

For the film's soundtrack, the group recorded the hit single "A Heart Is a House for Love," scoring another major chart success more than three decades after their initial record release. Allison remained deeply committed to performing, continuing to tour with the group even after undergoing triple-bypass heart surgery in 2000. The Dells officially concluded their performing career around 2012 after six decades of continuous activity. The group's monumental impact was formally honored in 2004 when they were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

In the years prior to Allison's passing, The Dells lost several key members: Johnny Funches in 1998, Johnny Carter in 2009, Marvin Junior in 2013, Lucius McGill in 2014, and Chuck Barksdale in 2019. With Allison's death, Michael "Mickey" McGill is now the final surviving member of the group's classic lineup. Allison's musical heritage also lives on through his son, musician and producer Verne "VA" Allison Jr.