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United States William Bell is a highly respected soul singer and songwriter, known for his influential contributions to Southern soul music and his enduring career in the music industry.
William Bell was the first male solo act signed to Stax, playing a pivotal role in establishing Southern soul music and helping to shape the Stax sound. He later reactivated the label for his Grammy-winning album 'This Is Where I Live' and maintains a continued association with the Stax Music Academy.
William Bell signed with Concord Music Publishing, expressing his happiness to be part of the Concord Publishing and Stax Music family.
In 1985, William Bell launched his own label, Wilbe Records, in Atlanta. This label has been a consistent platform for his music, including his album 'Passion' and recently 'One Day Closer to Home.' The label handles in-house production, from artwork to videos.
After moving to Atlanta in 1969, William Bell started Peachtree Record Company, a short-lived soul label he operated for approximately three years before rejoining mainstream labels.
Bell signed a two-year deal with Mercury Records which led to his biggest hit, 'Trying to Love Two,' a million-selling single that topped the R&B chart in 1977.
Bell released the single 'In a Moment of Weakness' in 2018 as part of the Amazon Original 'Produced By' series, demonstrating a partnership with the e-commerce giant's music initiatives.
Bell is featured in the HBO documentary 'STAX: Soulsville U.S.A.', chronicling the history of Stax Records and its impact on soul music.
Born William Yarbrough in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1939, William Bell initiated his musical journey by singing in church as a child. At age 10, he began songwriting, composing “Alone on a Rainy Night.” By 14, he was performing in Memphis-area clubs and gained early recognition backing Rufus Thomas. In 1957, Bell recorded his first tracks with The Del Rios, a vocal group that attracted the attention of Stax Records. Bell became the first male solo artist signed to Stax Records, pioneering the ‘Memphis Sound’ by blending gospel, blues, and country music into what became known as Southern soul. His debut single, “You Don’t Miss Your Water,” released in 1961, established his career before he served in the military.
Upon his return from military service, Bell released his debut album, “The Soul of a Bell,” in 1967, featuring the top 20 single “Everybody Loves a Winner.” He co-wrote the blues classic “Born Under a Bad Sign” with Booker T. Jones, a song later popularized by Albert King and Cream. Bell also penned the enduring Christmas hit “Everyday Will Be Like a Holiday.” In 1969, he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, where he founded Peachtree Record Company. After Stax Records closed in 1975, he launched Wilbe Records in Atlanta and achieved his biggest commercial success with the 1977 single “Trying to Love Two,” which reached number one on the R&B charts and sold a million copies. His career spans decades with continued production, songwriting, and touring.
Throughout his career, Bell has received numerous accolades for his musical contributions. In 2016, he reactivated the Stax Records label to release “This Is Where I Live,” an album that earned him a Grammy for Best Americana Album in 2017. He has been inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame and the Memphis Music Hall of Fame. Bell is actively involved in the Take Me to the River Education Foundation and supports the Stax Music Academy, mentoring young musicians. In 2020, he was named a National Endowment for the Arts Heritage Fellow, the nation’s highest honor in folk and traditional arts. His 1961 hit “You Don’t Miss Your Water” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2024, continuing to affirm his significant legacy.
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