Archie Bell is an American R&B vocalist who is best known as the lead singer of Archie Bell & the Drells, a Houston-based soul group that rose to prominence in the late 1960s. They pioneered the "Philly soul" sound and scored a number one hit with the uptempo dance track, "Tighten Up". Their music blends soul, funk, and disco, and is characterized by tight harmonies and Bell's distinctive lead vocals. Bell and his band have had a significant influence on the development of R&B and dance music.