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William Bell is an iconic soul singer and songwriter who was a foundational figure at Stax Records, known for his elegant ballads and key contributions to the “Memphis Sound.” He is best recognized for his hit songs like “You Don’t Miss Your Water,” “Everybody Loves a Winner,” and “Tryin’ to Love Two,” as well as co-writing the blues classic “Born Under a Bad Sign.”
Bell began his musical journey in Memphis. By the time he was a teenager, he was singing in local clubs and formed the doo-wop group The Del Rios. In 1961, he was one of the first artists signed to the fledgling Stax Records. His solo debut, “You Don’t Miss Your Water (Until Your Well Runs Dry),” became one of the label’s first major hits and is considered a prime example of early soul music. However, his career was put on hold when he was drafted into the Army.
After his military service, Bell returned to Stax. In 1967, he co-wrote the iconic tune “Born Under a Bad Sign” with Booker T. Jones. The song, first recorded by Albert King, became a legend after it was covered by Cream and has since been recorded by countless other artists. That same year, Bell released his first full-length album, The Soul of a Bell, which featured the hit single “Everybody Loves a Winner.” Throughout his time at Stax, Bell continued to release hits, including the duet with Judy Clay, “Private Number,” and “I Forgot to be Your Lover,” which was later covered by Billy Idol.
After Stax Records closed, Bell moved to Atlanta and signed with Mercury Records, where he had a top ten pop hit with “Tryin’ to Love Two,” which also hit number one on the R&B charts. He then established a successful career as a producer and songwriter, with his songs being recorded by stars like Linda Ronstadt and Rod Stewart, and sampled by hip-hop and R&B artists including Kanye West.
In 2016, Bell released his Grammy Award-winning comeback album, This is Where I Live, on the newly revived Stax Records. This followed his featured role in the documentary “Take Me To The River,” where he performed with Snoop Dogg. In 2017, Bell was honored with the Epitome of Soul Award and made two appearances on NPR’s popular Tiny Desk Concert series. In 2020, the National Endowment for the Arts named Bell a fellow, the “nation’s highest honor in the folk and traditional arts.” Bell, who has received numerous awards and is a member of both the Georgia and Memphis Music Hall of Fame, continues to tour and perform, sharing his quintessential voice with audiences around the world.
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