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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZBELL, William(b William Yarborough, 16 July '39, Memphis TN) Soul singer. Began with vocal group Del-Rios at 14, recorded for Meteor; studied to be a doctor, worked with local Phineas Newborn band, recorded for new Satellite/Stax label early '60s at invitation of Chips Moman, bringing organist Booker T with him. First (critics say best) records cut before Stax was successful nationally, but 'You Don't Miss Your Water' was third R&B success, made Hot 100 pop chart, while 'Any Other Way' and 'I'll Show You' '62--3 showed solid Southern blues/soul vocal stylings: he dropped medical studies, was drafted '63, came back strong and ventured afield as Stax rose to mid-'60s peak: ballads 'I Forgot To Be Your Lover' and 'Tribute To A King' (eulogy for Otis Redding), dance numbers 'Never Like This Before', 'Eloise (Hang On In There)'. 'Tribute' made no. 31 UK '68, duet with Judy Clay 'Private Number' top ten UK same year; did well in R&B chart but none of Bell's Stax-era records made pop top 40 USA. Wrote most of his own output; also wrote for others, often with Booker T (e.g. 'Born Under A Bad Sign' for Albert King); continued on Stax until its demise '76, but duets with Clay, Mavis Staples, Carla Thomas, venture into reggae failed to match 'Number', though several listed in Billboard Bubbling Under chart. Five LPs on Stax incl. The Soul Of A Bell '66, Phases Of Reality '72. Recorded for Mercury: Comin' Back For More, It's Time You Took Another Listen; scored long-overdue USA top ten hit '77 with 'Trying To Love Two'. Songs still often covered (e.g. 'You Don't Miss Your Water' '85 by Triffids) but he did not have the pop success he deserved in soul's golden era. Formed own labels: Peachtree '69--71, Wilbe '84; Passion '86 on WRC incl. 'Headline News', hit in US black chart. Enduring popularity proved by compilations and reissues on CD incl. Duets on Stax, with Mavis Staples, etc. |