Jerry Bell’s career reads like the story of American music in the second half of the 20th Century. The two-time Grammy Award winner and Dazz Band alum has performed and recorded side by side with countless R&B icons including Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson, Earth, Wind, and Fire, Al Green, and The O’Jays.
But unlike many music legends, Bell continues to tour and release new tracks decades after others have faded into history. He also provides powerful music and contributions to philanthropic organizations.
Lead vocalist for R&B classics like “Let It Whip” and “Joystick,” Bell says he’s sustained his long career because he’s remained humble and grounded in a philosophy of love and responsibility to others. His earliest lessons in hard work, focus, and discipline came from family: his military father Langston and vocalist mother Ruthie.
The remaining Bell family dynasty is a virtual who’s who of R&B, jazz, funk, soul and disco VIPs. Brother Archie Bell (Archie Bell & The Drells) topped the charts in 1968 with “Tighten Up.” Thom Bell is a Hall of Fame songwriter, arranger, and co-creator of the Philadelphia soul sound with Gamble and Huff. Al Bell is a former president of Motown Records. Robert “Kool” Bell and Ronald Bell are the founders of Kool & The Gang, a band with too many #1 hits to list here.
