Vincent Edward Gambella, known as Vinnie Bell, was born on July 28, 1935, in Brooklyn, New York City. He began studying guitar from a young age and made his first recordings as a session musician on singles by instrumental groups such as the Overtones and the Gallahads. By the late 1950s, Vinnie Bell was playing in nightclubs in New York City and developed his characteristic "underwater" guitar sound. In 1962, Vinnie Bell decided to focus on studio work in New York and Los Angeles. He collaborated with Jean-Jacques Perrey on several commercials and recording sessions for the label Vanguard Records. Vinnie Bell also designed electric guitar models, including the "Bellzouki" electric 12-string guitar and the electric sitar, which was used on hits such as "Cry Like a Baby" by The Box Tops and "Green Tambourine" by The Lemon Pipers. His work on Airport Love Theme sold over 1 million copies, earning a gold disc and winning a Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Composition in 1971. Vinnie Bell was nominated for Best Instrumental Performance that same year. As a session player, he contributed to tracks such as "The Sounds of Silence" by Simon & Garfunkel and albums by the Four Seasons and Bob Dylan's Desire. Vinnie Bell released several albums under his own name, including Vinny Bell Whistle Stop (1960), Big Sixteen Guitar Favorites (1965), and The Best Of Vincent Bell (1970). He passed away on October 3, 2019.
