William Bell | |
|---|---|
&sq=&lang=&file=File:William_Bell_soul_singer_1971.JPG) Bell in 1971 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | William Yarbrough |
| Born | July 16, 1939 Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Genres | R&B, soul |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 1957–present |
| Labels | Stax Records, Wilbe Records |
| Website | http://www.williambell.com/ |
William Bell (né Yarbrough; born July 16, 1939)[1] is an American soul singer and songwriter. As a performer, he is probably best known for his debut single, 1961's "You Don't Miss Your Water"; 1968's top 10 hit in the UK "Private Number", a duet with Judy Clay; and his only US top 40 hit, 1976's "Tryin' to Love Two", which also hit No. 1 on the R&B chart. Upon the death of Otis Redding, Bell released the well-received memorial song "A Tribute to a King".
As a songwriter, Bell co-authored the Chuck Jackson hit "Any Other Way" (which was a cover since Bell issued it first) as a follow-up to "You Don't Miss Your Water"; Billy Idol's 1986 hit "To Be a Lover", which was first a hit for Bell under its original title "I Forgot to Be Your Lover"; and the blues classic "Born Under A Bad Sign", popularized by both Albert King and Cream.
Although he was a longtime recording artist for Stax Records, he is unrelated to the label's onetime president, Al Bell.
In 2017, Bell was awarded a Grammy for Best Americana Album for his record This Is Where I Live. He performed his hit "Born Under a Bad Sign" alongside Gary Clark Jr. at the 2017 Grammy Awards. Bell was also featured on Rolling Stone's "Best of the Grammys" for that year.