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Vincent "Vinnie"
Bell invented a number of electric guitar models for
Danelectro. He designed perhaps the first electric 12-string guitar,
and invented the electric sitar in 1967, using it on such hits as
"Green Tambourine" by the Lemon Pipers, "Band of Gold" by Freda
Payne, and "Heartbreaker" by Gene Pitney. His own album Pop Goes
the Electric Sitar is a highly valued collectable.
You Don't Have
To Say You Love Me (mp3 file) from Vinnie's "Pop Goes The
Electric Sitar" album
Click Here to see Vinnie's
Electric Sitar Video - 1967
= VINNIE BELL'S
INVENTIONS =
  
This 1960s Danelectro "Vinnie Bell Signature" Hornet
guitar was used by the group Southern Culture on the Skids, formed in Chapel
Hill, NC in 1985. The guitar is autographed by Dunn, North
Carolina native 'Link Wray', creator of the power chord. The
guitar is now on loan to the "North Carolina Museum of History", and
is prominently displayed with a number of other "historically
significant" musical instruments of North Carolina!
One of the two or three greatest guitar geeks of the Space Age Pop era, Vinnie Bell will go down in
musical history as the inventor of the "watery" guitar sound that
was a big fad in instrumental recordings of the late 1960s. Used
most prominently on Ferrante and Teicher's 1969
Top Ten cover of the theme to "Midnight Cowboy," the effect became
perhaps the most-copied technique among guitarists until the wah-wah
pedal became standard equipment in the 1970s. Actually, Bell can
probably take credit for the wah-wah pedal, too, as there is
evidence that he built them as far back as the early 1950s.
Constantly experimenting with home-made electronic devices to modify
or distort electric guitar effects, Bell played on somewhere around
a gazillion studio sessions in New York and Los Angeles throughout
the 1960s and 1970s. 
The earliest known photo of Vinnie
(age 15) on the guitar. (L-R) Unknown
drummer, Stanley Bonanno on guitar, Stanley's little brother, Bobby
Milano on accordian and Vinnie Bell.
Bell picked up the guitar at an early age,
and when he was still in his teens, was studying with two of the
best players on the New York City scene, Carmen Mastren and Tony
Mottola. Bell played in nightclubs in the New York City era
into the early 1960s, but by 1962, he decided to devote his energies
to working as a studio musician. Well before that, he was already
sitting in as a session player on various recordings, often to take
advantage of the unique guitar effects he was known for producing.
His early wah-wah designs can be heard on such rare singles as
"Jersey Bounce" by the Spacemen and "Smoke Rings" by the Overtones.
A very early example of his "watery guitar" effect can be heard on
"Barracuda," a 1959 single by the Gallahads on Vic (produced by Billy Mure, by the way).
Although he only recorded occasionally under
his own name, Bell left his indelible mark on many recordings. He
added the distinctive "chick" sound that comes of the end of each
phrase on Dionne Warwick's "Walk On By" and also stands out on
Frankie Valli's "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You." For one of Joe
Harnell's albums, he combined a Greek bouzouki with electronics to
produce the "bellzouki." Charles Fox leaned heavily on Bell for his
score for the legendary Jane Fonda space sex kitten saga,
Barbarella. Even Lester Lanin succumbed to Bell's
spell, hiring him and Fox for his album, Narrowing the Generation
Gap. Several decades later, his pedalboard tremolo was used to
tremendous effect in the bass guitar part that leads off Angelo
Badalamenti's atmospheric theme to David Lynch's television series,
"Twin Peaks."
Vinnie in the studio
with Gene Pitney (1941-2006)
(Click on photo for hi-resolution
image)
His first album, Whistle Stop, was a
real showcase of his array of guitar effects. It was such a
departure from its usual jazz fare that the label, Verve, felt
compelled to include the following warning in the liner notes:
SPECIAL NOTE TO THE CONSUMER AND RECORD
REVIEWER:
This album contains recordings by VINNIE
BELL, at this writing New York's busiest studio guitar player. It
is designed to show-case Vinnie's electronic genius and his
musicianship. The album is based on the contemporary, popular,
instrumental approach to recording. This is not a JAZZ recording.
Despite Verve's attempt to distance itself,
the album's a terrific compilation of rockin' tunes. Arranged by
Bell, Four Seasons arranger Charles Callelo, and Claus Ogerman, it
stands up as one of the very best early "now sounds" albums. It's
also of some historical significance as one of the earliest albums
to use real-time electronic guitar effects instead of tape
manipulation or multi-tracking.
Bell, Al Caiola, Bucky Pizzarelli, Tony
Mottola, and several other busy session guitarists set up an
informal partnership known as the Manhattan Guitar Club in the
mid-1960s. To avoid the cost of paying a cartage company to haul
their amplifiers around to the various studios in the city, the
group bought amps that they left in each studio under padlock.
Someone on the studio engineering staff had the key, along with
instructions about who was allowed to use it. However, it was no
secret that a fair number of non-club members were able to
sweet-talk their way into getting it unlocked.
Although primarily based in New York, Bell regularly flew out for
L.A. sessions, ranging from "I'm a Believer" by the Monkees to Frank
Sinatra's late-career set, Trilogy. He also performed on
hundreds of soundtracks, from "The Godfather" to "Twin Peaks," and
more recently, "Everyone Says I Love You" and "Holy Smoke." And his
work on television and radio commercial probably comprises over a
thousand ads. He was voted Most Valuable Player on Electric Guitar
seven times by the New York chapter of National Academy of Recording
Arts and Sciences (NARAS) and given their Emeritus award in the late
80's.
Bell was one of the few session men to regularly rate a mention
in an album's credits or liner notes, at least when his special
effects were a major ingredient. On the other hand, for every
credit, there were hundreds of sessions, ranging
from Herman's Hermits to Perrey and Kingsley's landmark Now
Sounds from Outer Space album, for which his name was
never mentioned. For space age pop fans, the sight of Vinnie Bell's
name on an album is usually a sure sign of something well worth a
listen.
= VINNIE BELL
RECORDINGS =
-
51 Motion Picture
Favorites, Musicor MS-3009
-
16 Big Guitar Favorites,
Musicor MS-3047
-
The Best of Vinnie Bell,
Musicor MS-3192
-
Whistle Stop, Verve S-8574
-
Pop Goes the Electric
Sitar, Decca DL 74938
-
Airport Love Theme, Decca
DLP-75212
-
Good Morning Starshine,
Decca DLP-75138
 
Vinnie Bell may be the best-kept secret of pop music history,
when it comes to having hits. After you look at this list, you'll
have to agree that Vinnie may have played on more hit records than
just about any other session musician. In fact, if you listen to an
hour of Golden Oldies' radio, at any given time of day or night,
you're bound to hear Vinnie's playing at least a couple
times! And you probably never knew!
Here is a list of just
some of the amazing hits that Vinnie has played
on:
GOOD MORNING STARSHINE - Oliver
BLUE ON BLUE -
Bobby Vinton
DOUBLE RAINBOW - Antonio Carlos Jobim
MI
DEBILIDAD - Ismael Quintana
THE WORST THAT COULD HAPPEN -The
Brooklyn Bridge
BABY I LOVE YOU - Andy Kim
HELLO DOLLY- Louis
Armstrong
CHAPEL OF LOVE - The Dixie Cups
REMEMBER (WALKIN' IN
THE SAND) - The Shangri-Las
YOU DON'T OWN ME - Lesley Gore
A
SUMMER SONG - Chad & Jeremy
WALK ON BY - Dionne
Warwick
GOIN' OUT OF MY HEAD - Little Anthony & The
Imperials
WE'LL SING IN THE SUNSHINE - Gale Garnett
A LOVER'S
CONCERTO - The Toys
WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW IS LOVE - Jacik
DeShannon
BRAND NEW KEY - Melanie
CANDY MAN - Sammy Davis
Jr.
I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW - Johnny Nash
SUNSHINE ON MY
SHOULDERS - John Denver
REUNITED - Peaches & Herb
MISTER
BASSMAN - Johnny Cymbal
BABY I'M YOURS - Barbara Lewis
THE
BALLAD OF THE GREEN BERETS - Sgt. Barry Sadler
HANKY PANKY -
Tommy James & The Shondells
SUNSHINE SUPERMAN -
Donovan
YOUNGER GIRL - The Critters
I'VE GOT YOU UNDER MY SKIN
- The Four Seasons
YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO BE SO NICE - The Lovin'
Spoonful
IT MUST BE HIM - Vikki Carr
FUNKY BROADWAY - Wilson
Pickett
98.6 - Keith
PORTRAIT OF MY LOVE - The Tokens
HONEY
- Bobby Goldsboro
I LOVE HOW YOU LOVE ME - Bobby
Vinton
CANDIDA - Tony Orlando & Dawn
FOR THE LOVE OF HIM -
Bobbi Martin
WHY CAN'T I TOUCH YOU - Ronnie Dyson
LAY DOWN
(CANDLES IN THE RAIN) - Melanie
KNOCK THREE TIMES - Tony Orlando
& Dawn
MY GUY - Mary Wells
DAYDREAM - The Lovin'
Spoonful
BOTH SIDES NOW - Judy Collins
WALK AWAY RENEE - Left
Banke
SUNNY - Bobby Hebb
IF I WERE A CARPENTER - Bobby
Darin
HURRICANE - Bob Dylan
THIS DIAMOND RING - Gary
Lewis
SUGAR, SUGAR - The Archies
A TOWN WITHOUT PITY - Gene
Pitney
YOU LIGHT UP MY LIFE - Debby Boone
ME AND YOU AND A DOG
NAMED BOO - Lobo
ONLY LOVE CAN BREAK A HEART - Gene Pitney
DA
DOO RON RON - The Crystals
RUNAWAY - Del Shannon
LIGHTNIN'
STRIKES AGAIN - Lou Christie
HANG ON SLOOPY - The
McCoys
SOLDIER BOY - The Shirelles
SUNDAY WILL NEVER BE THE
SAME - Spanky & Our Gang
SHADDUP YOU FACE - Lou Monte
LAZY
DAY- Spanky & Our Gang
SOCIETY'S CHILD - Janis
Ian
PALISADES PARK - Freddy Cannon
THIS MAGIC MOMENT - Jay
& The Americans
TELL HIM - The Exciters
CARA MIA - Jay
& The Americans
COLOUR MY WORLD - Petula Clark
ONLY IN
AMERICA - Jay & The Americans
ONE FINE DAY - The Chiffons
COME A LITTLE BIT CLOSER - Jay & The Americans
SHE CRIED
- Jay & The Americans
JEAN - Oliver
HAIR - The
Cowsills
MOCKINGBIRD - Charlie & Inez Fox
I'M GONNA MAKE
YOU MINE - Lou Christie
EVE OF DESTRUCTION - Barry
McGuire
CAN'T TAKE MY EYES OFF OF YOU - The Four
Seasons
ABRAHAM, MARTIN AND JOHN - Dion
HAPPY TOGETHER - The
Turtles
DO YOU BELIEVE IN MAGIC - The Lovin' Spoonful
SUMMER
IN THE CITY - The Lovin' Spoonful
THE SOUNDS OF SILENCE - Simon
and Garfunkle
MIDNIGHT COWBOY - Ferrante and Teicher
I WILL
FOLLOW HIM - Little Peggy March
THEME FROM "TWIN PEAKS" - Angelo
Badalamenti
LEADER OF THE PACK - The Shangri-Las
GREEN
TAMBOURINE - The Lemon Pipers
LET'S HANG ON - The Four
Seasons
MORE - Kai Winding
E.V.A. - Jean Jacques Perrey
OUR
DAY WILL COME - Ruby and the Romantics
THE RAIN, THE PARK AND
OTHER THINGS - The Cowsills
ITSY BITSY TEENY WEENY YELLOW POLKA
DOT BIKINI - Brian Hyland
BIG GIRLS DON'T CRY - The Four
Seasons
BAND OF GOLD - Freda Payne
WALK LIKE A MAN - The Four
Seasons
MR. DIEINGLY SAD - The Critters
MY BOYFRIEND'S BACK -
The Angels
CANDY GIRL - The Four Seasons
NEW YORK, NEW YORK -
Frank Sinatra
DAWN - The Four Seasons
IT'S IMPOSSIBLE - Perry
Como
RAG DOLL - The Four Seasons
CABBAGES AND KINGS - Chad and
Jeremy
"1-2-3" - Len Barry
THE DAWN OF CORRECTION - The
Spokesmen
CONCRETE AND CLAY - Eddie Rambeau
NAVY BLUE - Diane
Renay
ROMAN GUITAR - Lou Monte
WALKIN' IN THE RAIN - Jay and
The Americans
ONGNI VOLTA - Paul Anka
DO THE MOUSE - Soupy
Sales
SEA OF LOVE - Del Shannon
A STEEL GUITAR & A GLASS
OF WINE - Paul Anka
SPECIAL LADY - Ray, Goodman, &
Brown
THE LEADER OF THE LAUNDROMAT - The Detergents
TRACY -
The Cufflinks
SHE'S A HEARTBREAKER - Gene Pitney
SUMMER OF '42
- Peter Nero
SHE CRIED - Lou Christie
PEPINO THE ITALIAN MOUSE
- Lou Monte
THE NAME GAME - Shirley Ellis
ABIGAIL BEACHER -
Freddy Cannon
HATS OFF TO LARRY - Del Shannon
CLOSE YOUR EYES
- Peaches & Herb 
Yes, that's
VINNIE! So, what's with the turban? Click on Vinnie to find
out!
 
1ST UNION BANK - 7-UP - SPANISH MARKET - A D T
(PATSY CLINE) - A.M.C .- AT&T - ABC SOCCER THEME - ABC WORLD
NEWS TONIGHT - ABSOLUT - ABSORBINE - ADIDAS - ADORN - ADT - AERO
MEXICO - ALCOA - ALFRED DUNHILL PIPES - ALKA-SELTZER - ALLSTATE
INSURANCE - ALMOND JOY - ALPO - AMERICAN EXPRESS - AMARETTO - AMOCO
- ANNAPOLIS - APPLE COMPUTERS - APPRI - ARBY'S CHEWELS - ARM &
HAMMER - ARMSTRONG - ARROW FOR MEN - ARTHUR TREACHER'S FISH &
CHIPS - AUNT JEMIMA PANCAKES - AUNT JEMIMA SYRUP - AVIS - AVON -
B&D DUSTBUSTER - B.V.D. - BACARDI - BACO'S - BALLY - BANCO DE
PONCE - BANCO POPULAR - BANK OF AMERICA - BANK OF BOSTON - BANK OF
LANSING - BANK OHIO - BANKERS VISA - BARNEYS - BAUSCH & LOMB -
BAYER ASPIRIN - BENIHANNA - BERTOLI EXTRA VIRGIN - BEST WESTERN -
BISSELL - BLACK & DECKER - BLOCKBUSTER VIDEO - BLOOMINGDALES -
BLUE BONNET - BOBOLI - BORAXO - BREYER'S - BRITA WATER FILTER -
BRITISH AIRWAYS - BRUT FOR MEN - BRYLCREEM - BUD LIGHT - BUDWEISER
BEER - BUDWEISER (SPANISH MARKET) - BUITONI - BURGER-KING - BUSCH
BEER - BUSH GARDENS - CABARET (SHOW JINGLE) - CADBURY'S - CADILLAC
SEVILLE - CALVIN KLEIN - CAMPBELL'S SOUP - CANADA DRY (SPANISH
MARKET) - CANON - CARNEGIE DELI - CASTOR OIL - CASTRO CONVERTIBLES -
CENTRUM VITAMINS - CENTURY 21 - CHANEL - CHARMIN - CHASE VISA -
CHEER - CHEERIOS HONEY NUTS - CHEVY (CAN'T TAKE MY EYES) - CHEVY
CAVALIER - CHEVY MALIBU - CHEVY MONZA - CHEVY TRUCKS - CHEVY-1982 -
CHEVY-CAMERO - CHEVY-CHEVETTE - CHIPS AHOY - CHIVAS REGAL - CHOCK
FULL O NUTS - CHRYSLER - CITIBANK - CITIBANK MASTERCARD - CLAIROL -
CLEAR AID - CLOROX - COCO PUFFS - COKE - COLGATE - COLGATE (SPANISH
MARKET) - COMMUNITY SAVING - CONCORD AIRLINES - CONNIE SHOES -
CONTINENTAL AIRLINES - CONTOUR CHAIRS - COOLWHIP - COPPERTONE -
CORICIDIN - CORNINGWARE - CORVETTE - COTTONELLE BOUNTY - COTY NUANCE
- COUNTRYTIME LEMONADE - COVER GIRL - CRAYOLA - CRAZY EDDIE'S -
CREAM OF WHEAT - CREST - CREST TOOTHPASTE - CROSS PENS - CUISINART -
CVS COMMENT - DAIRY QUEEN - DATSUN - DELL COMPUTER - DELMONTE
PINEAPPLE - DIAL SOAP - DIET PEPSI - DINERS CLUB - DISNEYLAND -
DISNEYWORLD - DODGE CARS - DOMINO CUBES - DOMINO SUGAR - DOMINO'S
PIZZA - DONNA KARAN CLOTHES - DO-NUTS - DORITOS - DOVE SOAP - DR.
SCHOLL'S FOOT POWDER - DRANO - DUNCAN DONUTS - DUNCAN HINES - DUNCAN
YOYO - DUNHILL - DURACELL BATTERIES - DUTCH BOY PAINTS - EASTERN
AIRLINES - EQUITABLE LIFE INSURANCE - ELMERS GLUE - EMERSON (RADIO
& TV) - ENERGIZER BATTERIES - ENJOLI PERFUME - EUREKA VACUUM -
EXXON - F.A.O. SCHWARTZ - FAB - FAB COLOR-PLUS - FAB SUNSHINE -
FERRARI - FLINTSTONE VITAMINS - FOLGERS COFFEE - FOLGERS COFFEE
(FOLKS) - FORD - FORD MUSTANG - FORTUNOFF'S - FRENCH'S MUSTARD -
FRITO LAY - FRITO LAY (WALK LIKE A MAN) - FRITOS - FRUIT OF THE LOOM
- FUDDRUCKERS RESTAURANTS - FUJI FILM - FUJI FILM (ARANJUEZ )- GALLO
CHIANTI - GALLO VIN ROSE - GARANIMALS - GARCIA Y VEGA - GEICO
INSURANCE - GENERAL ELECTRIC - GENERAL FOODS, LTD. - GENERAL MOTORS
- G.I. JOE TOYS - GILLETTE (CLOSE SHAVE) - GILLETTE (STRIPPER) -
GIORGIO ARMANI CUSTOM CLOTHES - GITANO - GLADE PLUG-IN'S - GLENDALE
FEDERAL BANK - GM CREDIT CARD (RUBY & THE ROMANTICS) - GMC
'DENAL' CAR - GODIVA CHOCOLATE - GOLDEN NUGGET - GOLDSTAR MICROWAVE
- GOOD HUMOR ICE CREAM - GOODRICH - GOODYEAR BLIMP - GRAHAM CRACKERS
- GREASE (SHOW JINGLE) - GREEN GIANT VEGETABLES - GREY POUPON -
GRIFFIN SHOE POLISH - GUCCI - GULF OIL - HAGGEN-DAZS - HAINSE -
HALLMARK - HAMBURGER-HELPER - HANES - HANES PANTYHOSE -
HARLEY-DAVIDSON - HARVEY RADIO - HASBRO - HASBRO INC. - HBO TV THEME
- HEAD & SHOULDERS - HERSHEY - HERSHEY'S KISSES - HERTZ - HERTZ
NUNZIO - HEWLETT PACKARD - HILFINGER - HILLS PET FOODS - HIRES
ROOT-BEER - HOFFRITZ CUTLERY - HONEY NUT - HOOVER VACUUM - HORMELS -
HOWARD CLOTHES - HUNTS TOMATO PASTE - HUSH PUPPIES - HYATT HOTELS -
IBM - IBM-JAPAN - IDEAL TOYS - I-HOP RESTAURANT - INTERPLAK - IRISH
SPRING - IVORY LIQUI-GEL - J.C. PENNEY - JAGUAR - JEEP (DAYDREAM) -
JELLO - JELLO - SPANISH MARKET - JERGENS - JERGENS LOTION - JERKY
TREATS - JIFFY LUBE - JOE'S STONE CRABS - JOHNSON & JOHNSON -
JVC ELECTRONICS - K.F.C. - K.F.C. - SPANISH MARKET - KELLOGG'S - KEN
& BARBIE DOLLS - KENT CIGARETTES - KIT-KAT - KIWI SHOE POLISH -
KLONDIKE ICE CREAM - K-MART - KODAK - KODAK - SPANISH MARKET - KODAK
(TIME OF YOUR LIFE) - KOOL CIGARETTES - KOZAC CAR PRODUCTS - KRAFT -
KRAFT CHEDDAR - KRAFT SALAD DRESSING - L'EGGS PANTYHOSE - LA ROSA
FOODS - LABLATT'S BEER - LAKE COUNTY NATIONAL BANK - LAKE GEORGE -
LANE BRYANT - LAVA SOAP - LAYNE BRYANT - LEGO - LEMON TREE - LENOX
CRYSTAL - LEVI STRAUSS - LIFESAVERS - LIGHT & LIVELY - LINCOLN
TOWN CAR - LIONEL TRAINS - LIPTON RICE - LISTERINE - LITTLE CAESAR'S
PIZZA - LITTLE FRISKIES - LONG JOHN SILVER - LONGINE WATCHES - LUCKY
CHARMS CEREAL - LUCKY STRIKE - LYSOL - M&M'S - MACY'S - MAGNAVOX
TV - MARCH OF DIMES - MARLBORO CIGARETTES - MARTINSON'S COFFEE -
MASTERCARD - MATEUS WINE - MAUNA LOA MACADAMIA NUTS - MAXWELL HOUSE
- MAYBELLINE - MAYS DEPARTMENT STORE - MAZZOLA OIL - MCDONALD'S -
MCDONALD'S (LOVE LUST) - MEATY BONE DOG FOOD - MEDAGLIA D'ORO
ESPRESSO - MEMBERS ONLY JACKETS - MENNEN SHAVE - MERCEDES -
METROPOLITAN LIFE INSURANCE - MICHELIN TIRES - MICHELOB - MIDLANTIC
MASTERCARD - MILK-BONE DOG FOOD - MINNEAPOLIS BANK - MINUTE MAID
CONCENTRATE - MINUTE MAID OJ - MINUTE RICE - MIN-WAX - MIRACLE WHIP
- MITSUBISHI CARS - MOBIL - MONOPOLY - MONT BLANC PENS - MOTOROLA -
MOTOROLA STARTAC CELLPHONE - MOUNTAIN VALLEY SPRING WATER - MOVADO
WATCHES - MR. CLEAN - MRS. PAUL'S FISH STICKS - MRS. SMITH'S PIES -
MUELLER'S MACARONI - MUZAK - NABISCO - NABISCO (MANDOLIN) - NEIMAN
MARCUS - NESTLES - NEUTROGENA - NEW ENGLAND HONDA - NEWPORT LIGHTS
CIGARETTES - NEXXUS SHAMPOO - NIKON - NISSAN SENTRA CARS - NIVEA
HAND CREAM - NOKIA CELLPHONE - NORELCO SHAVERS - NORTHWEST MUTUAL
LIFE INSURANCE - NOXELL - NOXEMA CREAM - N.Y. STATE LOTTERY - OLD
GOLD CIGARETTES - OLD MILWAUKEE BEER - OLD SPICE COLOGNE - OLDS CARS
- OLIVE GARDEN RESTAURANT - OLYMPIC AIRLINES (DANCING IN AISLES) -
OMEGA WATCHES - OPTIMA CIGARS - ORE-IDA COOKIES - OSCAR MEYER -
PABST-XTRALITE BEER - PAMPERS - PAN-AM AIRLINES - PANASONIC WET/DRY
SHAVER - PENSKE TRUCK RENTAL - PARLIAMENT CIGARETTES - PBS TV -
PEARLE VISION - PERRIER - PEZ - PIERRE CARDIN - PILLSBURY BISCUITS -
PILLSBURY FLOUR - PIZZA HUT - PLANTERS NUTS - PLAYBOY CLUB - PLAYTEX
BRA - PLEDGE POLISH - PNC BANK (ELVIS) - POLAROID - POLO COLOGNE -
POND'S - PONDEROSA SHAVE LOTION - PONTIAC GRAND AM - POPEYE'S
RESTAURANT - PORSCHE - POSNER SHOES - PREGO SAUCE - PRILOSEC -
PRINGLE'S POTATO CHIPS - PROCTOR & GAMBLE - PROGRESSO -
PRUDENTIAL - PIECE OF THE ROCK - PUERTO RICO TOURISM - PULSAR
WATCHES - PURDUE CHICKENS - PURINA DOG CHOW - Q-TIPS - QUAKER OATS -
QUAKER STATE OIL - RAGU - RAIN AUTO WAX - RAINTREE RESTAURANT -
RAISIN BRAN - RAMADA INNS - RATHEON ELECTRONICS - RAY-BAN TV -
RAYOVAC BATTERIES - RCA - REDDI-WHIP - REESE'S BUTTERCUPS -
REMINGTON SHAVER - RENAULT CARS - RENUZIT - REVLON - REYNOLDS WRAP -
RIGHT GUARD UNDERARM SPRAY - RIVE GAUCHE PERFUME - RIZZOLI BOOKS -
ROCHESTER COMMUNITY SAVINGS BANK - ROLAIDS RELIEF - ROLLEIFLEX
CAMERAS - ROLEX WATCHES - ROLODEX - RONZONI MACARONI - ROSS BIKES -
ROY ROGERS RESTAURANT - SAFEWAY - SAKS FIFTH AVE (GIO) - SAMSONITE
LUGGAGE - SAMSUNG (NAME GAME) - SAMSUNG MICROWAVE - SANI-FLUSH -
SANKA - SARA LEE PIES - SAVERIN - SBARRO RESTAURANT - SCALPICIN -
SCHAEFER - SCHLITZ - SCOTCH-TAPE - SCIENCE DIET 'B.F.' - SCOPE
MOUTHWASH - SCRIPTO - SEA & SKI - SEARS JEANS - SEBRING CARS -
SEIKO - SELECT COMFORT - SESAME STREET - SHERWIN WILLIAMS - SIBONEY
USA - SILVER BURDETT - SINGER SEWING MACHINE - SIZZLERS -
SMITH-CORONA - SNAPPLE - SNICKERS BAR - SOUTHERN BELL (SPANKY &
OUR GANG) - SPALDING - SPEIDEL - SPRITE - STANLEY TOOLS - STATE FARM
INSURANCE - STETSON COLOGNE - STOCK VERMOUTH - STOLICHNAYA -
STOUFFERS LEAN CUISINE - STROH'S LIGHT BEER - SUBWAY SANDWICHES -
SUBWAY - GONDOLA - SUNBEAM - SUN-FUN - SUNOCO - SURE - SUZUKI
(TAILGATE) - SUZUKI (FITS) - SUZUKI JUMP - SUZUKI XL7 - SWANSON -
SWANSON BROTH - SWEET'N LOW - SWIFT'S - SWINGLINE STAPLER -
TACO-BELL - TAMPAX - TASTY-BREAD - TAYLOR CHAMPAGNE - TAYLOR WINE -
TEXACO - TIC-TAC - TIDE DETERGENT - TIME MAGAZINE - TIMEX -
TINKERTOY - TITLIST GOLF BALLS - TONY THE TIGER - TOOTSIE ROLLS -
TORO - TOYOTA - TOYS 'R' US - TROPICANA - TROPICANA OJ - TRUE VALUE
- TUPPERWARE - TURTLE-WAX - U.S. ARMY - U.S. MARINE CORPS - U.S.
NAVY ENLISTMENT - U.S. POSTAL SERVICE - ULTRA-BRITE - UNDERALLS -
V-8 - VAN HEUSEN SHIRTS - VASELINE - SPANISH MARKET - VESPA
SCOOTERS - VIC - VIDAL SASSOON - VISA - VISA U.S.A. - VOLKSWAGEN -
WALLACHS CLOTHES Ð BULLFIGHTER - WATER PIC - WCTN NEWS - WEBER
BARBECUE - WEIGHT WATCHERS - WENDY'S - WESTERN WORLD - WESTINGHOUSE
- WHEATIES - WHIRLPOOL - WINDEX - WONDER-BREAD - WOOLITE - WPTR
ALBANY - WRANGLER JEANS - WURLITZER MUSIC - ZANTAC (THAT'S AMORE) -
ZENITH - ZEST
"My Dad Sent
Me!"
One
time, I took my whole family to one of my recording sessions, the
one that yielded Shirley Ellis' "The Name Game." My good
friend Charlie Calello was producing. I was very late to the
session, because the traffic was terrible in New York City that day.
When we finally got to the studio, we took the elevator to the 11th
floor, and outside the door, I could hear the musicians already
playing. We were about 15 minutes late for the date. But rather than
me go into the studio, I gave my guitar to my son, Edward, who was
about 8 years old at that time.
I had him walk in to the studio, and tell
them: "My dad, Vinnie Bell, couldn't make the
date, so he sent me to play on the session instead!"
Well, the guys burst into hysterical laughter, and when
we heard them laughing, I walked in with my wife and the other
children. Everybody got a big kick out of it, and we went on to
record a big hit record with "The Name Game."
==== MOVIE
SOUNDTRACKS VINNIE HAS PLAYED ON ====
AIRPORT LOVE THEME - BARBARELLA -
BARNABY JONES - BILLY BATHGATE - THE BOYS NEXT DOOR - BROADWAY DANNY
ROSE - BUGSY - BYE BYE BRAVERMAN - CARLITO'S WAY - CARRIE - CARWASH
- CHINA BEACH - COME SPY WITH ME - CRIME-TIME - CURSE OF THE BLACK
WIDOW - DIRTY MOUTH - DEEP THROAT - THE DEVIL IN MISS JONES - DONNIE
BRASCO - DUMB AND DUMBER - EDDIE AND THE CRUISERS - EVERYONE SAYS I
LOVE YOU - FAMILY BUSINESS - FIELD OF DREAMS - FIREWALK WITH ME - G
I JOE - THE GODFATHER - THE GODFATHER, PART II - HOLY SMOKE - THE
HURRICANE - HYSTERICAL BLINDNESS - LAW AND DISORDER - LEADER OF THE
BAND - LET MY PEOPLE COME - THE LORDS OF FLATBUSH - MADE FOR EACH
OTHER - THE MAMBO KINGS - MISS CONGENIALITY - MISUNDERSTOOD -
MUHAMMAD ALI - MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL - NAKED IN NEW YORK - PLACES
IN THE HEART - THE PRINCESS DIARIES - SHATTERED - STAGECOACH -
STEPPING OUT - SUNNYSIDE - TENTACLES - WAIT UNTIL SPRING,
BANDINI
==== TV SHOW SCORES VINNIE HAS
PLAYED ON ====
THE BOYS NEXT
DOOR [TV] - - CALIFORNIA DANCING RAISINS - PLACIDO DOMINGO [TV] -
CANDID CAMERA [TV SHOW] - THE HAPPENERS [TV SPECIAL] - HULLABALOO
[TV SHOW] - THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW - LIFESTYLES OF THE RICH &
FAMOUS [TV THEME]
MUNSTERS [TV SHOW] - JIMMY SCOTT [TV SHOW] -
THE SOPRANOS - THE PROFILER (NBC) - 20/20 [TV THEME] - TWIN PEAKS
[TV SERIES] - THE TODAY SHOW THEME (NBC)
FAST
FORWARD
Vinnie Bell relaxing at home with his Coral Electric Sitar
invention and wife Bonnie. (2008)
Vinnie signs electric sitar for a fan.
How The Sitar Came To Be Heard In
Western Pop Music
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