Alan Bell (3)

Alan Bell (died 25th April 2019) was born to be a singer. At four years of age he sang in Church and has been singing ever since. In his teens he sang American folk songs, but soon discovered the British folk revival. In those days, Alan climbed and walked the hills of Lakeland, and enjoyed the singing of the locals in the Three Shires pub in Little Langdale. Thus began his life-long interest in the music and songs of the Fell Country. In the 1960s Alan joined “Big Pete” Rodger, Stuart Robinson and Brian Osborne to found Blackpool Folk Club and the Taverners Folk Group. For over twenty years the “Tavs” toured the folk clubs, concert halls and festivals, producing several records and appearing on countless radio and television shows. During this time, Alan began writing for the group. Songs such as “Windmills”, “The Minstrel”, “Alice White”, and of course “Bread & Fishes” became folk club standards which have been recorded all over the world. He also wrote the BBC Radio programme “Ballads of the North West” which he later re-worked for BBC TV. Following an appearance at the Royal Command Performance in 1981 at Blackpool’s Grand Theatre, the Taverners disbanded. Alan began writing songs and music for various radio and television programmes and formed the Alan Bell Band as a platform for his songs and music. His song cycle “The Band in the Park”, performed with a brass band, won the prestigious Radio Italia prize for BBC Radio. Alan Bell is the founder and director of the Fylde Folk Festival, and was instrumental in setting up Folkus, the Lancashire Folk Arts Network, in 1999. In 2004 he celebrated 50 years of music-making (and his 70th birthday!) in a special concert at the Marine Hall. The other members of the band are:- Eddie Green; known as “The Quiet Man”, Eddie has played with many groups and bands over the years and co-wrote the guitar tutor “Finger-Style Folk” with Ged Higson. Along with his wife Ann, Eddie organises Folk at the Clarence in Blackpool. He plays bass with the band, and assists with arranging and presenting the songs. Andrew Green; having been raised in a house so full of music and song, it was inevitable that Andrew would become a musician. He soon showed talent as a drummer, and went on to become an excellent guitarist and mandolin player. He is a dedicated young musician with a great future. Sue Jenkins is the most recent recruit to the band. A talented young fiddler, she brings a lyrical flow to song accompaniments but can also step out on her own with a rousing set of jigs or reels. With a great repertoire of Alan Bell songs, and a wealth of experience blending with youthful exuberance, The Alan Bell Band has many admirers.