Tina Bell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tina Bell
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| Born |
Tina Marie Bell
February 5, 1957 Seattle, Washington, U.S.
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| Died | October 10, 2012 (aged 55) Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
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| Spouse(s) |
Thomas McKay Martin
(div. 1996) |
| Children | Thomas "TJ" McKay Martin Jr. |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | Grunge, Punk rock |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter |
| Years active | 1983–1990 |
| Associated acts | Bam Bam |
Tina Marie Bell (born February 5, 1957 – died October 10, 2012) was an American singer and songwriter. She was the lead singer of the band Bam Bam, based in Seattle. Many people believe that Bam Bam, with Tina Bell as its leader, helped create the sound of grunge music.
Contents
Early Life and Beginnings
Tina Bell was born and grew up in Seattle, Washington. She was the oldest of ten children. Tina started singing at the Mount Zion Baptist Church in Seattle. Her first time performing on a stage was with the Langston Hughes Theater in Seattle.
While looking for a French tutor for a theater play, she met a guitarist named Tommy Martin. Tina and Tommy later got married. On September 7, 1979, they had a son named TJ Martin. In 2012, TJ Martin won an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature for his film Undefeated.
Music Career Highlights
Forming the Band Bam Bam
Tina Bell and Tommy Martin started their band, Bam Bam, in 1983. The band also included Scott Ledgerwood on bass and Matt Cameron on drums. Matt Cameron later joined famous bands like Soundgarden and Pearl Jam. After Matt, Tom Hendrickson became the drummer for Bam Bam. Tina Bell was small, only 5 feet 2 inches tall, but she had a powerful, deep, and strong voice.
An Overlooked Pioneer
The Seattle Times newspaper has said that Tina Bell's importance has often been forgotten. She was a Black woman in a music style that became known for white male bands. These bands included Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, and Soundgarden. Sometimes, Tina faced unfair treatment while performing. Even so, Bam Bam was very popular with local fans. Kurt Cobain, who later started Nirvana, even worked as a roadie (someone who helps set up equipment) for Bam Bam and was a big fan.
Early Recordings and Songs
Even though a punk rock record label wanted to sign Bam Bam, the band decided to release their music on their own. They released their first EP (a short album) called Villains (Also Wear White) in 1984. This EP came out about a year before other well-known grunge recordings.
Chris Hanzsek, who owned Reciprocal Recording studio, helped record Bam Bam. He told Billboard magazine that Bam Bam was the first band he recorded that released a vinyl record. Tina Bell, Scott Ledgerwood, and Tommy Martin wrote the songs. Tom Hendrickson played drums. They recorded many songs at Reciprocal Recordings, including those on the EP. In June 2019, eight more songs from these sessions were released as Free Fall From Space. An updated version of Villains (Also Wear White) was released in late 2021.
Later in 1984, Bam Bam released another album called Bam Bam House Demo '84. This album had earlier home recordings of some of their songs. The band also made a music video for their song "Ground Zero." Tina Bell, Tommy Martin, Scott Ledgerwood, and Matt Cameron wrote this song. Tina wrote the lyrics about the danger of nuclear war. She was inspired by living near the Naval Submarine Base Bangor, which is a home base for nuclear submarines.
Changes and Later Performances
After the mid-1980s, Scott Ledgerwood and Tom Hendrickson left the band. But Tina Bell continued to lead Bam Bam with Tommy Martin on guitar and a new rhythm section. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Bam Bam played concerts with popular bands like Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, and Alice in Chains.
Seeking Success in Europe
When Bam Bam did not get as much attention as other "Seattle Sound" bands, Tina and the band moved to London in the late 1980s. They hoped to find more success in Europe. Sadly, this did not work out as planned. They faced problems with immigration rules and had to return to America.
Tina Bell left Bam Bam in 1990 and eventually stopped making music completely. Bam Bam decided not to find a new singer and continued as a three-person band playing only instruments. Before her passing, Tina and Bam Bam bassist Scott Ledgerwood had started writing new music together.
Passing Away
Tina Bell passed away in her Las Vegas apartment on October 10, 2012, at the age of 55, due to a serious health issue. Her son, TJ Martin, said that when he arrived at her apartment, most of her belongings were gone. All of her writings, like lyrics, poems, and diaries, along with Bam Bam music and videos, were thrown away without her family knowing.
Honoring Tina Bell
On July 9, 2021, musicians in Seattle formed a tribute band to honor Tina Bell's musical legacy. They played a show at the Central Saloon. Om Johari, a singer, had the idea for the show after a reporter from CBS News contacted her to do a story about Tina Bell.
The Bam Bam tribute band included musicians like Matt Cameron, Kendall Jones from Fishbone, guitarist Ayron Jones, and bassist Jenelle Roccaforte. Pearl Jam guitarist Stone Gossard also took part. Several Black women singers who were inspired by Tina Bell's music also performed. These included Eva Walker of The Black Tones, Shaina Shepherd of BEARAXE, Dmitra Smith of Ex's With Benefits, and Dejha Colantuono. The band played many Bam Bam songs at the show. CBS later broadcast a story about Tina Bell's legacy on their show CBS Mornings.
Images for kids
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Tina Bell, a grunge musician from Seattle
