Biography of William Bell

William Bell was one of the first artists signed to the Stax label during its fledgling years in Memphis, and he greatly influenced the "Stax sound" as both a performer and writer. His self-penned "You Don't Miss Your Water" (1961) almost defined the genre known as country-soul, with the unmistakable gospel feel of Bell's elegant, lilting vocal over a country-church piano figure. It was this perfect marriage of styles that became Bell's trademark at Stax and opened the door for others -- most notably Otis Redding (who initially mined the same country-soul vein) -- to follow. With the ascent of Redding, Bell's star began to fade somewhat. He continued to record (the beautiful, string-laden "I Forgot to Be Your Lover" in 1968) and, most importantly, to write (his own "Tribute to a King," written after Redding's death, and Albert King's "Born Under a Bad Sign," both co-written with Booker T. Jones). After Stax's collapse in 1975, Bell moved to Mercury, where he scored his first-ever million-seller with "Tryin' to Love Two." Bell continues to live and work in Memphis. ~ Christine Ohlman