John Peel Wiki

Changes to the look of John Peel Wiki will take place in the near future due to a new skin being rolled out over Oct/Nov across Wikia. Please see the Wikia Staff Blog for further details. On this site, the changes will affect the navigation from the left menu, as well as introduce a fixed page width with narrower content space. Please be patient while adjustments are made for the switch to the new system.

UPDATE: As the change is now in force for some users, I have switched the navigation to the simplified one for the new system. Please check Navigation in the Help section if you can't find things. I also initially made small adjustments to the front page layout, but have now reverted to the old look until all users are on the new system.

COUNTDOWN: Just a reminder for people still using Monaco that the final switch to the new skin is due on Nov. 3. After that, it will no longer be offered as an option. Sorry. Nothing to do with me.

Steve W

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John Peel Wiki
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William Bell

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William Bell

William Bell (né Yarbrough; born July 16, 1939) 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.

His music has been sampled by artists such as Kanye West, Ludacris, and Jaheim.

Links to Peel[]

Peel was a fan of many of the artists signed to Stax Records including William Bell, although according to available tracklistings on this site, he seemed to have first played William Bell on his show in the 80's. He would often play some of William Bell's music on his programmes including his 1968's top 10 hit in the UK "Private Number".

Shows Played[]

Private_Number

Private Number

1981
1984
  • 11 June 1984: Crying All By Myself (album - Do Right Man) Charly
1985
1987
1988
  • 23 November 1988: Marching Off To War (v/a LP - Feel Like I'm Fixin' To Die) New Musical Express
1991
  • 12 October 1991: 'Forever Wouldn't Be Too Long (CD-A Little Something Extra)' (Stax)
  • 20 October 1991: Never Let Me Go (album - A Little Something Extra) Stax
  • 27 October 1991: 'Forever Wouldn't Be Too Long (CD-A Little Something Extra)' (Stax)
  • 10 November 1991: You Got Me Where You Want Me (album - A Little Something Extra) Stax
1992
1993
  • 19 February 1993: Share What You Got (But Keep What You Need) (v/a 9xCD The Complete Stax-Volt Singles 1959-1968) Atlantic
  • 20 November 1993: Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow (album - Stax A Soul) Stax
2001
2002
2003

External Links[]

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