William Bell

A soul singer of great subtlety, William Bell was one of the principal architects of the Memphis Sound. Starting off with Rufus Thomas' band in 1953 and recording with the Del Rios vocal quartet in 1957, Bell became an early writer and performer for the Stax/Volt label. Going solo in 1961, the next year he released "You Don't Miss Your Water," its stark power exemplifying the Stax style that provided counterpoint to Motown's pop approach. Sidelined by two years in the army, Bell reemerged in the mid-'60s with songs that fared respectably on the R&B charts: "Everybody Loves a Winner" (#18, 1967) and “A Tribute to a King” (#16, 1968). The latter, an homage to Otis Redding, made clear, however, that Bell had been eclipsed commercially by such other classic soul talents as Redding, Sam and Dave, and Wilson Pickett.

A 1968 R&B Top 10, “I Forgot to Be Your Lover,” and duets with Judy Clay (“Private Number,” “My Baby Specializes”) highlighted Bell’s skills as a balladeer, and the singer has continued crafting sophisticated soul. In 1969 Bell moved to Atlanta and founded his own Peachtree label; with 1976 and his signing to Mercury came the refreshing success of “Trying to Love Two,” a #1 R&B hit. Throughout the 1980s, on Kat Family and his own Wilbe label, Bell continued a low-profile career. In 1997 he received the Pioneer Award from the Rhythm & Blues Foundation. He continues to perform. As a writer and as an elegant singer of romantic tumult, Bell remains a seminal artist.

from The Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll (Simon & Schuster, 2001)