His world-travel and obsession for live-concerts in every venue, state and as many countries as possible  may have influenced his remarkable ability to hear vague  nuance and veiled meanings in a generation of rock and roll.  Those who are most familiar with Bell suspect something a little deeper. 

His Midwest roots factor into this quiet but deep and certain passion and on a particular, mostly lucky night in a small town in Kansas, a night sometime in February of 1964, one of Bell’s most profound love affairs began.  

Waiting as usual for his parents to settle in for an evening of television, he slipped into his usual spot in the  dark hallway just outside his bedroom, (where he was supposed to be tucked-in and sleeping*), flattened against the wall and out of sight,  he watched the black-and-white TV around the backs of  his twenty-nine year old parent’s heads.  Bell did not know then that his already developing  fascination with music would change forever just seconds later when  Ed Sullivan introduced George, John, Ringo and Paul for the first time on American soil.   Bell would never be the same.  The rest, as they say, is history. 

You may agree or disagree with his perspective.  You may even think you know more about music.   Or you may just learn a thing or two.   

*Rumor has it that Bell’s much more obedient and  less appreciated  younger  sister spied him in the hallway that night.  Adamant that his shenanigans be  rightfully  exposed, she repeatedly coughed and cleared her throat in hopes of a quick and extremely painful capture of the sneaky culprit in the hall.  As oft was the case back in the day,  her attempts failed and he snuck safely, although changed, back to bed.   (It's very likely she took a beating for her efforts  at a later time). 

bzirkone@aboutthemusic.org.