SIMON BELL was born in Glasgow, Scotland, where he started singing with local Soul bands in the mid sixties. He relocated to London in the early seventies in order to further his career as both a singer & songwriter.
He signed
as a writer to Sparta Florida Music under legendary writer Hal Shaper, then publisher Screen Gems-Columbia, and later with
Roger Cook's Gas Songs where his career was developed by Ray Williams, who had put Elton John together with Bernie Taupin. During his time at Screen Gems he turned down Ken Gold & Mickey Denne's "You To Me Are Everything" and "Can't Get By Without You" both of which became No.1 hits by The Real Thing!!
When contracted to Gas Songs, Simon released his one & only single - "Givin' It Plenty” (1978), which was used on the soundtrack of 2 different movies - "No.1 Of The Secret Service" and "Tintorera".
At this time he was taken under the wing of U.S. Soul legend DORIS TROY who introduced Simon to the London session scene. During her West End run in the musical based on her life ("Mama I Want To Sing") Doris paid tribute to Simon one night, when she invited him to sing with her again.
Among the artists he has worked with are, MARVIN GAYE, HOT CHOCOLATE, LULU, ELKIE BROOKS, JULIO IGLESIAS, JAMES LAST, MADELINE BELL, DEMIS ROUSSOS, CILLA BLACK, ADAM & THE ANTS, LEO SAYER, MIGUEL BOSE, JOHNNY LOGAN, JOHNNY HALLYDAY, TWISTED SISTER, and his inspiration, the late, great DUSTY SPRINGFIELD, who requested that Simon sing "The Wind Beneath My Wings" at her funeral.
In recent years Simon has contributed to countless TV documentaries & books on Dusty Springfield, being regarded as a leading authority on both the music and the person.
Simon can be seen with Dusty in the live concert recorded at the Royal Albert Hall in 1979 and now available on DVD. He is also the subject of one of a collection of Poems by Jeanette Lynes published as "It's Hard Being Queen - The Dusty Springfield Poems", available from Freehand Books.
Simon has released 5 EPs on all digital platforms - ABOUT TIME, A BETTER DAY, WINTER TALES, SHOULD I MOVE ON?, and FIND YOURSELF SOON.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Performing in Buckingham Palace at wedding of Diana, Princess of Wales & Prince Charles (with Hot Chocolate).
Singing in "the cage" on Tiswas for Elaine Paige.
Singing at the funeral of Dusty Springfield, at her request.
Singing with Doris Troy & Chaka Khan in finale of Mamma I Want To Sing.