Born: March 5, 1946 in Toronto
Died: June 15, 2007

Bell, the son of Dr. Leslie Bell, began playing the piano at the age of four years old and would continue his studios with the Royal Conservatory of Music. Canadian piano player Richard Bell was a member of Ronnie Hawkins' band known as And Many Others in the late '60s and was asked by Janis Joplin's manager Albert Grossman to be part of Joplin's Full Tilt Boogie Band who were eventually immortalized in the Festival Express movie that finally saw the light of day in 2003 based on the cross-Canada train tour in 1970. Following Joplin's death, he moved to the bustling music community of Woodstock, New York where he did session work for Paul Butterfield and John Sebastian (Lovin' Spoonful). Bell also appeared on Joplin's post-humous album 'Pearl'. Bell relocated to Atlanta, Georgia in the 80's where he tinkered with various local acts and married Mary Deacon in 1979 (which ended in 1986). He then moved to Alabama where he played in a local working band, The Convertibles, before returning to Canada to join a revised version of The Band in 1991 as keyboardist. Bell replaced Stan Szelest (who had replaced the late Richard Manuel). Bell remained with The Band through their final three albums 'Jericho' (where he contributed the song "The Caves of Jericho"), 'High on the Hog', and 'Jubilation'. Following the death of Rick Danko in 1999 The Band permanently retired. Richard Bell has played with many other artists, including Bruce Cockburn, Bonnie Raitt, and Blackie & The Rodeo Kings. The latter association also allowed him to work with Colin Linden. Bell was a writer on the song "Out of the Wilderness" from Colin Linden's 'Through the Storm Through the Night' album. The Toronto-based musician performed regularly as a keyboardist/songwriter/occasional vocalist with the Quarrington brothers’ Porkbelly Futures and Danny Brooks & the Rockin' Revelators; Bell produced two of Brooks' albums. Bell was also a member of the country-rock group, Burrito Deluxe, performing and contributing songs to their CD 'Disciples of the Truth' having replaced former band member Garth Hudson.

Bell died after a long battle with multiple myeloma on June 15, 2007 in Toronto.




Singles


Albums
with THE BAND
1994 Jericho (EMI Canada)
1996 High On The Hog (EMI Canada)
1998 Jubilation (EMI Canada)
1998 The Band Live At Watkin's Glen (EMI Canada)

with JANIS JOPLIN 1971 Pearl (Columbia) PEC-30322

with BURRITO DELUXE 2006 Disciples of the Truth Video


Compilation Tracks







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