Today's Black Love History Lesson | A Heart is a house for Love 💕
February 17 2021
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February 17 2021
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At the intersection of Black History Month and a month dedicated to love is the history of Black Love 
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Today's Black Love History Lesson | A Heart is a house for Love
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The clip is from the video for "A Heart Is a House for Love" which is sung by The Dells. I get chills when I listen to it. It's the perfect mix of love, nostalgia, and inspiration. No matter where you are, you just want to "Stand Up" when that part of the song comes on.
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In 1952, a group of young men came together at Thornton Township High School in Harvey, IL to form a group called "The Dells". They released their first hit, "Oh, What A Night" in 1956. But this isn't about "The Dells" per say, but it is rather about what inspired their lead singer - Marvin Junior.
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In 1960, Marvin married his one true love - Ruby Caldwell. During their 53-year marriage, they had six children, and 12 grandchildren. I love to imagine that Ruby was Marvin's inspiration for the music, the longevity of the group and the songs they sang.
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When Marvin was asked why some of his contemporaries, other male entertainers, struggled and didn’t have the support they needed during their elderly years, he once commented, “Marrying the right woman, a good woman, like Ruby, makes all the difference. I married the right one.”
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What love!
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Marvin went on to record two dozen albums and perform for 55 years. The Dells never separated. The Dells were elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004. Additionally, they served as consultants, and an inspiration, for "The Five Heartbeats," Robert Townsend's 1991 film about a fictitious singing group. If you haven't seen it, do yourself a favor and watch it today.
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Our hearts were broken when we heard that the lead singer of The Dells, Marvin Junior, passed away on Wednesday, May 29, 2013. Honestly, we never wanted their love story to end.
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It's rare for a band to stay together for 55 years. It's even more rare for a marriage to survive that band's tour schedule for 53 years.
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We celebrate the love of Ruby Caldwell and Marvin Junior for inspiring a band, their songs, and a generation of lovers.
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[A note: I was born in Harvey, IL and lived near the home of Ruby Caldwell and Marvin Junior as a child. 
. This love story was a suggestion of my parents who have been married for 54 years this February.]
. This love story was a suggestion of my parents who have been married for 54 years this February.]Read more
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