Happy Birthday, Andy Bell!

Seattle,1986-2001, we lived in a former houseboat that had been brought up the 5 blocks from the Lake Union waterfront & plunked down on cinderblocks to be a “mother-in-law” unit for the big manor house behind us. Our little Wallingford neighborhood cottage was just 750 square feet. We climbed a ladder into the bedroom crafted in the rafters of the garage (the ultime Boys' Fort), which became the Husband’s studio.The cottage had 2 rooms: The Room & The Other Room. It was our home for 15 years, even though shockingly, we were renters. We planted a huge garden, built decks & outdoor rooms & added new doors & windows to this highly funky abode, all with the blessings & help from our landlord neighbors & dear friends- Robert & Margo.

On a warm summer day, I would open every door & every window & the cottage would become an outdoor pavilion. I can tell you for certain, on those afternoons, I would be blasting Erasure on the stereo system. I love a day off in the summer with some great gay music playing really loud, allowing me to sing along & dance for the enjoyment of neighbors & passerbys. (The photos are of the Seattle cottage circa late 1990s. You can click on an image to enlarge)


In 1984, Andy Bell responded to a newspaper ad searching for a singer for a new band. That band would become Erasure, with just 2 core members Vince Clarke (of Depeche Mode & Yaz), & our birthday boy- Andy Bell. Erasure would sell more than 20 million records of their synth-pop dance music.


Beside Andy’s work with Erasure, he has taken part in numerous charity recordings including a cover of Cole Porter's Too Darn Hot, that was included in 1990s Red Hot + Blue album to raise funds for HIV research. Bell also performed on the True Colors Tour 2008. He released a solo album- Electric Blue in 2005 & has a new album out next month- Non Stop. It features a duet with Jane's Addiction's Perry Farrell, a long time fan of Bell's. Produced by Pascal Gabriel (who has worked with Debbie Harry & Little Boots), Non Stop finds Bell in a glam side of his persona, purposefully changing his vocal register to produce a more soulful tone. The first single- Will You Be There? is now available on iTunes.

He has a long time partner - Paul J. Hickey. Bell is a practitioner of reiki. Bell has been HIV-positive since 1998. I have all his music & I think he is pretty swell. he turns 46 today.