William Bell

William Bell – Life, Music, and Famous Quotes

Explore the life and legacy of William Bell — American soul singer and songwriter. Learn about his early days, career highlights, songwriting contributions, famous quotes, and lessons from his journey.

Introduction

William Bell (né William Yarbrough; born July 16, 1939) is an American soul singer, songwriter, and record producer. Over decades, he has contributed enduring songs, performed with warmth and authenticity, and helped shape the Memphis soul and Stax Records sound.

Among his most well-known works are “You Don’t Miss Your Water” (1961), “Tryin’ to Love Two” (1976), “Private Number” (with Judy Clay), and “I Forgot to Be Your Lover.” This Is Where I Live won the Grammy Award for Best Americana Album.

In what follows, we trace his life, highlight key songs and influence, share his own words, and derive lessons for music lovers and creators alike.

Early Life and Musical Roots

William Bell was born in Memphis, Tennessee on July 16, 1939.

He grew up immersed in church music and gospel singing, which deeply influenced his vocal style and emotional expression.

By his early teens, Bell was writing songs. One of his earliest compositions was “Alone on a Rainy Night.” The Del Rios, a regional doo-wop / vocal ensemble in the Memphis area.

Through The Del Rios, and his early local performances, Bell honed both his voice and songwriting chops, gradually gaining local recognition.

Career Highlights & Musical Contributions

Stax Records & Breakthroughs

Bell became among the first male solo artists signed to Stax Records, a label that would become synonymous with Memphis soul and the Stax-Volt sound.

His debut single was the classic “You Don’t Miss Your Water (Till Your Well Runs Dry)” (1961).

However, early in his career, Bell had to pause for a stint in the U.S. military draft, which delayed his momentum.

After this, he released the album The Soul of a Bell in 1967—his first full-length LP—featuring the single “Everybody Loves a Winner.”

He also co-wrote “Born Under a Bad Sign” with Booker T. Jones—a blues classic popularized by Albert King and Cream.

Later Hits & Diversification

Bell co-wrote “I Forgot to Be Your Lover” (which he originally released), a song which became a hit in later covers by other artists as well.

In 1968, he recorded “Private Number”, a duet with Judy Clay, which was especially successful in the UK charts.

His major U.S. pop breakthrough came in 1976 with “Tryin’ to Love Two”, which peaked in the Top 10 on the pop charts and hit No. 1 on the R&B charts.

In 1969, Bell relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, and founded his own label, Peachtree Records, though that venture had limited long-term commercial success.

In 1985, he established Wilbe Records, under which he released the album Passion.

Comeback & Recognition

After many years between major label albums, Bell released This Is Where I Live in 2016 under a revived Stax label. Grammy Award for Best Americana Album in 2017.

He also has been recognized with numerous honors, including:

• W.C. Handy Heritage Award from the Memphis Music Foundation

• BMI Songwriters Awards

• Lifetime Achievement Award from the Americana Music Association

• Induction into the Memphis Music Hall of Fame

• Designation as a National Heritage Fellow by the U.S. National Endowment for the Arts in 2020

He continues to write, record, and tour, releasing One Day Closer to Home in 2023 through Wilbe Records.

Bell’s work is often celebrated not just for its quality, but for bridging classic soul and more contemporary roots/Americana sensibilities.

Personality, Style & Musical Traits

• Bell’s voice has a warm, expressive quality—able to convey intimacy, emotional nuance, and longing.

• He blends gospel-rooted phrasing with soul sensibilities, often favoring smooth delivery over raw grit.

• His songwriting often centers on love, longing, regret, and relational dynamics (as in “Tryin’ to Love Two”).

• He is versatile: singer, songwriter, producer, label founder, and continued performer well into his later years.

• He is rooted in the Memphis soul tradition but has adapted over time into Americana and roots genres.

Famous Quotes by William Bell

Here are some memorable quotes attributed to him, reflecting his creative process, reflections on music, and life:

“Growing up in Memphis and listening to all kinds of music and dreaming … So that was one of the first times I wrote a complete song and set it to music and the whole bit. From then on, I was busy with it.”

“You don’t miss your water ’til your well runs dry.”

“When I came out of the military, I had a club in Memphis and I started using The Bar Kays as my club band. They were still only in the middle school — but I’d take them on the road with me on the weekends, sometimes.”

“We worked over at that place The Plantation Inn with The Del Rios. It was really wild over there.”

“I stayed with them for about a year up there and, at night, worked over in Long Island at a club called The High Hat Club which was like a pseudo jazz/blues place.”

These quotes offer glimpses into his origin, persistence, early struggles, and the environments in which he honed his craft.

Lessons & Reflections

From William Bell’s life and career, we can draw several lessons for artists, creators, and music enthusiasts:

1. Roots matter. Bell’s grounding in gospel and church shaped his voice, emotion, and musical values.

2. Persistence through setbacks. Despite interruptions (e.g. military service) and periods of low commercial visibility, Bell kept writing, performing, and adapting.

3. Versatility is strength. He didn’t confine himself to just singing; he wrote, produced, launched labels, and navigated new genres.

4. Bridge past and present. Bell’s ability to honor classic soul tradition while evolving into Americana shows a path for legacy artists to stay relevant.

5. Authentic voice endures. Even when trends shift, having a distinctive, emotionally honest voice can maintain relevance over decades.

6. Creative continuity. He continued releasing new work into old age, demonstrating that creativity is lifelong, not time-limited.

Conclusion

William Bell is a soul luminary whose voice, songs, and career tell a story of artistry, resilience, and musical evolution. His catalog bridges the golden era of Memphis soul and modern roots/Americana traditions.

Whether you’re discovering “You Don’t Miss Your Water” for the first time, revisiting “Tryin’ to Love Two”, or exploring his later works, Bell’s journey is inspiring for musicians and listeners alike.