Vinnie Bell

Vincent Edward Gambella (July 28, 1932 – October 3, 2019), known as Vinnie Bell, was an American session guitarist, instrument designer and pioneer of electronic effects in pop music.

Life and career Vinnie Bell was born in Brooklyn, New York City, and studied guitar from childhood. By 1962, Bell decided to devote his energies to working as a studio musician in New York and Los Angeles.

He also helped design a number of electric guitar models with the company Danelectro for its Coral line of instruments, including the "Bellzouki" electric 12-string guitar, and the electric sitar, which was used, not necessarily by Bell, on such hits as "Cry Like a Baby" by The Box Tops, "Green Tambourine" by The Lemon Pipers, and a cover of Alfred Newman's love theme from the 1970 film, Airport. The last of these sold over one million copies and was awarded a gold disc. It also won a Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Composition in 1971, while Bell was nominated for Best Instrumental Performance.

As well as being notable for his technical innovations, Bell worked extensively as a session player, playing on tracks such as "The Sounds of Silence" by Simon & Garfunkel and for artists such as the Four Seasons He also recorded occasionally under his own name, his albums including The Soundtronic Guitar of Vincent Bell (Independent Record Company, 1960), Whistle Stop (Verve, 1964), and Pop Goes the Electric Sitar (Decca, 1967).

Singles "Airport Love Theme" (US # 31, 1970; AC # 2, 1970, Australia #4 ) "Nikki" (1970) Did not chart

As sideman With Quincy Jones Quincy Jones Explores the Music of Henry Mancini (Mercury, 1964) With Les McCann Les McCann Plays the Hits (Limelight, 1966) With Clark Terry Mumbles (Mainstream, 1966)