Al Bell
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| Al Bell | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Alvertis Isbell |
| Born | March 15, 1940 |
| Origin | Little Rock, Arkansas, U.S. |
| Genre(s) | Soul, gospel |
| Occupation(s) | Record producer, songwriter, record executive, disc jockey |
| Years active | 1965 – present |
| Label(s) | Stax |
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Al Bell (born Alvertis Isbell on March 15, 1940 in Little Rock, Arkansas, USA) is an American record producer, songwriter, and record executive. Bell is best known as one of the key figures behind and a co-owner of Stax Records during the latter half of the label's nineteen-year existence. A former disc jockey in his hometown of Little Rock, Bell was vital to the careers of Stax's soul stars such as The Staples Singers and Isaac Hayes, both of whom he produced records for. Other Stax stars introduced under Bell's leadership included The Emotions, The Dramatics, and Mel and Tim.
During his time at Stax, Bell was instrumental in introducing wide marketing and promotional campaigns on behalf of the label. Under his leadership, the label worked with Melvin Van Peebles on his 1971 film Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song, and had Isaac Hayes provide the score and soundtrack for the MGM film Shaft.
In the 1980s Bell became head of the Motown Records Group and worked with Berry Gordy in the sale of Motown to the MCA/Boston Ventures Group. After Motown, he discovered the music group Tag Team and released “Whoomp! (There It Is),” which sold over 5,000,000 single units. This record was one of the biggest selling singles in the history of the music industry. Bell was asked by Prince to release a single record for him, after his label Warner Bros. Records turned him down. Using his unique style of marketing and promotion, Al Bell released "The Most Beautiful Girl In The World" and gave Prince his biggest selling single ever.
Bell's influence in African American music was significant, with civil rights leader Jesse Jackson saying "Stax was not just a record company. It was a sound. It was a piece of culture. It was a moment of conscience and experience of mankind. At the right time, it meant a lot to us. People still heavily borrow upon the tradition of Stax and the lineage laid down by the very special genius of Al Bell." [1]
[edit] Awards
Bell has received numerous awards, including:
- Executive of the Year, Bill Gavin Radio Program Conference, 1971
- National Leadership Award from the National Business League in 1972 and 1973
- NAACP Founder’s Award, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, 1975
- Inductee, America’s Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame, 1980
- Gospel Music Award of the Year, Southeast Music Conference, 1993.
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