1976-1989 - Niall Bell
Niall Bell has been one of the most important and enduring people in my musical life. An outstanding drummer, composer and singer, Niall and I first started playing together in 1976, when we performed in a cover band called Hot Frieght, playing songs by Steely Dan, including Night by Night, along with material by the Doobie Brothers and other bands we admired at the time.
That was the beginning of a musical partnership that continued through many different bands and projects. Over the years, Niall and I became a tight and powerful rhythm section, playing together in Dickie Do & The Don’ts, Ear Logic, Secret Level, Fingertips, The People Concert and The Fones.
We also spent countless hours jamming and making music with many of our friends and fellow musicians, including Mike Lichtman, Adrian Bekker and David Kibel, among others.
But Niall has always been much more than simply a drummer I played with. He became a great friend and, in many ways, a musical “brother.” We shared countless rehearsals, gigs, recording sessions and jams over the years, and those experiences form an important part of my musical history.
Although life eventually took us in different directions, we never lost touch. After all these years, Niall and I remain in regular contact today.
Niall’s Music
Niall was also a talented songwriter and composer. Below are a couple of songs he composed and recorded with Adrian Bekker, demonstrating another side of his musical creativity.
Weep, South Africa, Weep
Weep, South Africa, Weep was an anti-apartheid song recorded with Adrian Bekker on guitar, Paul Savage on keyboards, me on bass, and Niall on drums and vocals.
