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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZBELL, Maggie(b 12 Jan. '45, Glasgow) Singer. Career started with a bet when she went on stage to sing with Alex Harvey for £2. Linked with Harvey's younger brother Les in Kinning Park Rangers and (after spell as dance band singer) Power; this band was rescued from Continental gig circuit by Peter Grant, Led Zeppelin manager, renamed Stone the Crows: lineup was Bell, vocals; Les Harvey (b '47, d '72), guitar; Colin Allen, drums; Jim Dewar, bass; John McGinnis, keyboards. Signed to Polydor; first two blues-based LPs Stone The Crows and Ode To John Law '70 highly praised, Bell's throaty style compared to that of recently deceased Janis Joplin. Teenage Licks '72 saw Ronnie Leahy and Steve Thompson replace McGinnis and Dewar; Bell cleaned up critics' polls. Harvey's death on stage in Swansea, accidentally electrocuted during sessions for Continuous Performance '72, tore the heart out of the band; the album was their most successful so far, reaching no. 33 UK LP chart, with (almost hit) single 'Good Time Girl'. Bell had already started session work, duetting with Rod Stewart most effectively on title cut of his Every Picture Tells A Story '71; voices similar yet complementary. Solo career failed to take off despite prod. Jerry Wexler for Queen Of The Night '73; Suicide Sal '75 did no better. One-off hit was theme for TV series Hazell (no. 37 UK '78); most recent tilt at stardom as front-person for Midnight Flyer (eponymous LP released '81 on Led Zep's Swan Song label, renewing association with Grant): lineup was Anthony Glynne, guitar; Tony Stevens, bass; David Dowle, drums; John Cook, keyboards. Bell peaked too early to benefit from a vogue for female singers apparent since punk, but with her fine voice she should |