OUR MEMORIES OF VINNIE BELL
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1:37am 12-13-2020
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Vinnie and I became friends in 2004, when I interviewed him for a book I was writing. I had been a fan of his guitar work since I had been a teenager. During the interview, we just hit it off on the phone right away, and that was part of the magic of Vinnie. He had the special ability to make friends easily, and also to draw you into his circle. Next thing I knew, we were talking on the phone regularly, all the way from Seattle to New Jersey! For my birthday that year, Vinnie and my wife Tricia secretly arranged for me to fly out to meet him and stay with him and his sweet wife Marilyn for a week. Both being musicians, we had a lot to talk about and share. What a great time we had. And during that week, we even got to record together in a local world-class recording studio. Over the years, we became closer friends, and each time we spoke he would never fail to ask about my wife and son. He was a genuine loving, caring guy, and a real sweetheart. I last saw Vinnie at his home in 2016. His health starting to fade a bit, but it was great to visit Vinnie and Bonnie and to have lunch with them. Vinnie was the kind of guy that you rarely meet in life -- the kind of friend that you just "click with, and he was someone with a great sense of humor. I'll always cherish my friendship with Vinnie, and I'll remember him all of my days.
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6:04pm 12-12-2020
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Vinnie was an amazing talented, creative, accomplished human being. In addition to that, he was one of the
nicest, friendliest, warmest human beings I have ever known. I am missing his huge wave and smile whenever I
drove by his house or saw him in the neighborhood. Seeing him always left me smiling. I feel blessed to have known him. There is a lot to learn from his attitude toward life and toward people. His memory will always be for a blessing.
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11:30am 12-10-2020
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My Uncle Vinny was an amazing musician and his music was so beautiful. He was so talented. I only wish I had the chance to say goodbye to him and my cousins Edward and Denise and of course my Aunt Marilyn (who was the best cook ever!!) Uncle Vinny, when I get to heaven can I have a big kiss and hug!!
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8:01pm 12-04-2020
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My family and I met Vinnie over ten years ago. It was impossible not to make an immediate connection with him because he always expressed care and kindness. His love for others and his disposition to help them was clearly expressed when he helped my son with a middle school project about a famous person. Who better than Vinnie? Vinnie took us into his basement and showed my son his instruments, while delivering a wonderful historical sketch that helped the kid get an excellent grade in his paper. We don't see Vinnie any more, but our love for him remains, and we know that his love for all of us endures.
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2:30pm 11-30-2020
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I met Vinnie through Tony Motolla. We became friends immediately and had many lengthy phone conversations and some visits to his home. Vinnie was loved by everyone who knew him because he loved them. He was a gentleman, a good listener, very positive and had a pure soul. His production in the studios was staggering, and his contribution on many sessions helped put the song in the top ten. He was first call with many contractors and his young sound and creative approach was surely the reason. Thank you Bonnie for the wonderful care and love you added to Vinnie's life. I have a very sweet spot in my memory for both of you. Richard Jansen
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9:22am 11-30-2020
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Bonnie, It was such a blessing being able to spend time together with you and Vinnie. Going to dinner with you both in Upstate NY and visiting you for the weekend in Tenafly. We both were going though some rough times and then to have them both, (my Mother) and Vinnie to pass on the same day was crazy. There has to be one heck of a band playing in heaven. We'll see you soon Bonnie.
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8:34am 11-30-2020
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My Wife Connie and I only met Vinnie about 4 years ago but can say it was a true honor. Vinnie gave us the tour of his home and we were in awe of his guitars,his workshop where he built countless instruments and in his basement where he had an enormous about of electronics that I had no idea what they were. For me it was a true honor to be able to meet Vinnie Bell,a true legend and one great man.Thank you Vinnie for sharing with me a small glimpse of your wonderful life.
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2:28pm 11-28-2020
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vinny and I connected in the mid 1950's when he was with the Gallahads, and moved to Fords, New Jersey, I was in Engineering school and we started trying to greate strange sounds in his basement using an automobile distributor. He became my guitar teacher and an unforgettable friend.is the godfather of my daughter Cindy, as I was the Godfather of Denise who we called, "shrimpy". After my move to virginia we could only visit infrequently, but often had long phone conversations, Vinny is often in my thoughts, and forever in my heart==a true lifetime friend
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9:16am 11-28-2020
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I have so many fond memories of Vinny. This was a beautiful memorial to watch. He is still missed, and still in my thoughts.Tom Siracusa
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8:30am 11-28-2020
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Bonnie and the Gambella family
I have known Vinnie for at least 60 years
I was his accountant for at least thirty five of those years
His love for Marilyn and then Bonnie was so obvious it was too beautiful to be described
He loved his family and his music and loved to talk about Frank Sinatra's wigs
The music industry lost a Master and we lost a beautiful Man
Rest in Peace my friend
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1:54pm 11-24-2020
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Bonnie and the Gambella family,
Through my sister Marlene VerPlanck, I was indeed, lucky to have met Bonnie and Vinnie. We spent some really good evenings together, over great dinners, talking music, of course, savoring wonderful stories and memories.
To Bonnie and the Gambella family, my deepest sympathy during this time of your greatest sorrow.
Blessings,
Barbara
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5:32am 11-24-2020
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First, thank you to Dana Countryman for this wonderful tribute and all the work you have done with Vinnie. Next, thank you to Bonnie for your love, warmth and kindness. I loved you the moment we met! Vinnie has left a legacy in the music world that will span generations. I remember as a child listening to the radio and hearing his sound emit into the air, knowing it was him behind the melody. He was always impeccably dressed and his smile spoke that of a happy soul. Talent is God-given and Vinnie used it to speak to the masses. His instruments are true treasures and I am lucky enough to have his yellow Fender Stratocaster that he modified and played on many of his recordings .He was a master of his craft, carving and creating beautiful works of art, some that made music and some that didn't. Some just reflected his great sense of humor. I know that the angels guided him into Heaven on wings of song and I wish you Godspeed, Vinnie. We love and miss you xoxo Blessings to your family xoxo
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12:48pm 11-21-2020
Ray Nassr
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My memories of hanging out at Vinnie's home with his son, Ed, in the '70's will last forever. I was in awe of Vinnie and his accomplishments. Ed kept me up to date on the recordings and inventions Vinnie created. The list was never ending. It is hard to imagine one man could accomplish so much. Vinnie was always working. One session after another. Day after day. My occasional visits downstairs to his workshop and studio was always a special treat. There were guitars, amps, parts, tools, albums and sheet music all over. It was a glimpse into what this man did with his time. He never stopped creating. Fortunately we have his recordings to listen to but I'll always miss those days visiting the home of Vinnie, Ed, Marilyn, Denise & Michelle. I was fortunate to visit Vinnie and Bonnie a few years ago and the warmth I felt meeting Bonnie for the first time and seeing Vinnie again was everything I remembered all over again. They made me feel like family. Sending my love and best wishes to Michelle and Bonnie. Your family is always in my heart.
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7:28am 11-18-2020
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God rest your beautiful soul Vincent "Vinny" Bell. I regretted that I never met you earlier in our lives. His music unknowingly affected me since I was a child, growing up in a musical home where many guitar records were played and I realized he was on many. I later became a fan of Perrey-Kingsley and later learned Vinny was playing guitar on many of those amazing records, as well as others. A friend told me a story about being in a Radio Shack and "Lightning Strikes Again" by Lou Christie was playing on the radio. The guy said to Vinny (not knowing who he was) "Man, what a great guitar solo". Vinny calmly answered "Yes, I know, I played it !"...LOL I was honored to spend what time I could, with him in his later years. Despite his genius, he once said to me " I never knew why it all happened to me"...I was aghast. I said "Vinny, you're a true icon. Your awesome playing, arranging, your electronic innovations, your hard work and personality were unmatched". He smiled. I am honored to be working with Doug Tulloch on a biography. Despite Vinny saying he never wanted one, he's getting a bio as he truly deserves one. I have one of Vinnies earlier Gibson arch top guitars, which he played in the 50's often, being lovingly restored by Rob Engel to it's former beauty. Like many instruments in his home (not unlike his friend Les Paul) the guitar was stripped-down and sitting dust on his workbench , being modified for some reason, at the time he and Bonnie sold their home. It will be an honor to own and someday play it. Vinnie, your legacy shall live on for a long time. I WILL do my best to unwrap the mystery of the "water pedal", if it kills me !! With much love to you sir.
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1:22pm 11-17-2020
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My friendship with Vinnie goes back to the late 1980's. I was one of the lucky one's to cross his path. Most of our time was spent on the phone or later, e-mail. He would have me call him at 1 AM, where he'd be up working, the bandsaw running in the background, and he would stay on the phone for hours talking guitars with me. I wasn't the only one either. He had many friends who would call or visit him. I don't know where he found the time to accomplish so much and help so many musicians. When I was working on the Danelectro book, he was in constant touch, offering anything I needed. Fast forward 30 years, I assisted Vinnie & Bonnie with the sale of many of Vinnie's personal/professional items prior to his passing, and, I am the current keeper of many of these musical memories. Additionally, and quite unbelievably, I now own the Coral™ trademark, and plan on bringing back the Coral™ brand. A book on his life, written by myself and Andy Fuchs, is also in the works. Stay tuned... Also want to acknowledge his wife Bonnie. She took wonderful care of him. The last time I saw Vinnie, in the front yard of his home for many years, he told me I was a good man, and kissed me on both cheeks with his big wonderful smile. What a life he had and the legacy he left as a person is quite incredible. He was a great friend. Miss you Vinny![URL=http://www.danelectro.guru]Danelectro Guru[/URL]
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