Al Bell

Al Bell (born Alvertis Isbell; March 15, 1940) Bell was vital to the careers of Stax's soul stars such as the Staple Singers and Isaac Hayes, the Emotions, the Dramatics, and Mel and Tim. Bell's promotional efforts drove the "Memphis sound" internationally and made Stax the second-largest African-American–owned business in the 1970s. In 2009, the BBC profiled Bell as "one of the icons of soul music" and "the driving force behind Stax Records".

Biography

Early career at Stax Bell joined Stax in 1965 as director of promotions and was essential in aiding the growth of the company's revenue. In 2009, Bell was profiled in The New York Times and on the BBC as he returned to Memphis to help develop the city's independent music scene.

Bell gave interviews for the HBO documentary Stax: Soulsville U.S.A. (2024).

Awards Bell has received numerous awards, including: Americana Music Association Lifetime Achievement Award for Executive, September 14, 2022 Induction into the Official Rhythm & Blues Music Hall of Fame in Clarksdale, Mississippi, June 6, 2015 Inducted into the Arkansas Business Hall of Fame, February 13, 2015 Induction into the Memphis Music Hall of Fame, 2014 Grammy Trustees Award, 2011 Arthur A. Fletcher Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Black Chamber of Commerce Alex Haley "Roots Award," Greater Washington, DC Business Center National Award of Achievement, U.S. Department of Commerce Dare to Soar Award, Mosaic Templars Cultural Center Achievement Award, Boy Scouts of America 1000 Most Successful Blacks, Ebony Magazine 100 Most Influential Black Men, Ebony Magazine Entered in "Who's Who in the World" Induction into America's Music and Entertainment of Fame Induction into the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame Member of the Board of Directors, Memphis Chamber of Commerce Member of the Board of Directors, Central Arkansas Chapter of the March of Dimes Member of the Board of Trustees, Philander Smith College Memphis' Legendary Record Producers Award, 2005 W.C. Handy Lifetime Achievement Award, 2002 Record Executive of the Year, Impact Magazine, 1994 Record Executive of the Year, BRE, 1994 Chairman's Award, Southeast Music, 1994 NARM Indie Best Seller Award ("Whoomp! There It Is", Tag Team), 1994 Independent Label of the Year Award, The Urban Network, 1994 The Spirit of Freedom Award, Freedom Magazine, 1994 Russell Simmons Award for Executive Excellence, Young Black Programmers' Coalition, 1993 Black Music Chief Executive of the Year, Impact, 1993 Living Legend Award, Warner Bros., Reprise Records & Urban Network, 1972 Heroes and Legends Leadership Award, 1991 Voted Number Five in the 30 All-Time Greatest Executives in Black Music, Impact Magazine Poll, 1985 Best Documentary (Wattstax), nomination Golden Globe (1973) Executive of the Year, Bill Gavin Radio Program Conference, 1971