Home / Arts and Entertainment / The Dells' Verne Allison, Bridge to Hip-Hop, Passes
The Dells' Verne Allison, Bridge to Hip-Hop, Passes
9 Oct
Summary
- Verne Allison, a founding member of The Dells, died at 90.
- His music influenced generations, sampled by Kanye West.
- The group had hits spanning five decades.
Verne Allison, a founding member and second tenor of the celebrated R&B group The Dells, has died at age 90. His family confirmed his passing on October 6th, 2026. Allison's musical journey began in Harvey, Illinois, where he formed The El-Rays, later known as The Dells, with fellow high school students.
The group achieved an early breakthrough with "Oh, What a Night" in 1956. They continued to build a significant soul music catalog with enduring songs such as "Stay in My Corner" and "The Love We Had (Stays on My Mind).". Their acclaimed work also extended to consulting on Robert Townsend's film "The Five Heartbeats."
The Dells' music resonated across generations, notably being sampled by prominent hip-hop artists including Kanye West, who used "Fonky Thang" in his song "Family Business." This ensured their sound continued to influence contemporary music.
The Dells performed until 2012, concluding their approximately 60-year career with a farewell concert at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Their numerous accolades include the Rhythm and Blues Foundation's Pioneer Award and induction into the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame.
