One of radio’s most successful syndicated hosts has died. Both the Las Vegas Review Journal and NBC TV in Las Vegas are reporting that Art Bell died at his home in Las Vegas on Friday, April 13. The Nye County Sheriff’s Office announced that an autopsy will be done later this week to determine the cause of death.
Bell’s paranormal-themed overnight show, “Coast to Coast AM,” was syndicated on hundreds of stations by Premiere back in the 90’s. He left the show in 2002. He also had a show on SiriusXM in 2013. Bell was 72 years old. Most recently Premiere was syndicating Bell’s show Somewhere In Time which was the best in classic Art Bell shows from 6pm – 10pm on Saturdays.
The Nye County Sheriff made the announcement of Bell’s sudden death on Facebook and Twitter…
At one time Bell had close to 10 million listeners before his sudden retirement. He did his shows about UFOs, conspiracies and cover-ups for over 15 years from his home in the Nevada desert. He came out of retirement several times but was eventually replaced by George Noory who still hosts the overnight program today.
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Fellow radio broadcaster Phil Hendrie tweeted the following:
Art Bell was something our business had few, if any, of. He was an original. He did everything the book said you shouldn’t do. 40 minute phone interviews, led segments with commercials, took the paranormal & UFOlogists seriously and gave them a forum. Rest In Peace Art Bell
Later the Washington Post published a tribute that was really worthy of the man.
In the small of the night, when the mind is open and the defenses are eased, mysteries blossom and conspiracies run wild. In the darkest of hours, Art Bell was a light left on for the lonely, the insomniacs, the Americans searching for answers in a society they believed was spinning out of control.
READ THE REST OF THE POST’s STORY HERE.
Listened to him for years here in Vancouver on the Las Vegas station and remember when he switched formats. An original indeed! Who can forget shows such as Mel’s Hole, the supposedly bottomless pit in Washington state, or the supposedly live interview with the fellow in the Cessna flying into Area 51. Art Bell was one of a kind.
He was truly a legend. I can imagine that broadcasting schools use him as a positive example of how to conduct a “long form” interview, complete with impeccable timing and “hooks” just before a commercial break. He spawned many a radio career as many of his guests have gone on to have their own radio shows. Thanks to the Internet, he will live on … on several streams. And his interviews are just as interesting now as they were 20 years ago! Thank for some great interviews, Art!
RIP Art !!