From climbing high Alpine peaks to singing folk songs in Lakeland pubs to performing in hundreds of Folk Clubs culminating in an appearance at a Royal Command Performance, Alan Bell has led a very adventurous life full of music and songs.
Tamlyn Music is used by Alan Bell, the folksinger and song writer, to protect and promote his songs and be a vehicle for concerts and performances.
Through the Skiffle era to co-founding the Blackpool Folk Club and Taverners Folk Group in 1960. The group worked clubs, concerts, appeared on radio and television and recorded 4 LP’s. For over 20 years they entertained audiences. Alan enthusiastically embraced
the revival of interest in Folk Music and founded the Fylde Folk Festival in 1972 and was the director for 42 years.
Alan began writing songs, such as “Windmills” and “So, Here’s to You.”His most famous song “ Bread & Fishes”, known in Ireland as “The Wind in the Willows”, topped the Irish hit parade. Many of his songs have been covered by artists such as The Clancy Brothers, Tommy Makem, The Spinners, Mary Black, Cathy Ryan.
Alan wrote the scripts for his radio shows “The Ballads of the North West” for the BBC and his programme format was adapted for BBC television, with Alan writing music and songs.
Celebrating Alan Bell’s 85th Birthday
65yrs gigging and 55yrs composing
Alan was featured in a TV programme “One man and his Music” and also sang on BBC TV’s “ Songs of Praise”.
In the year 2000 he founded Folkus the Folk Arts Network of the North West, encouraging music making through workshops and concerts.
Alan is still performing and will appear with his band and the duo Scolds Bridle on the Saturday lunchtime concert. The superb guest artists all appeared at Fylde in the past and Alan thanks festival goers for their support and hopes his day of celebration in music and song is enjoyed by all.