Posted by Funny stuff on December 01, 2003 at 16:36:43:
In Reply to: Letterman's Record Collection(Bill Bell) posted by Robert Coulter on December 01, 2003 at 11:24:43:
"Bill Bell and His Tuba"
Guitars are cool. Millions of people play guitar, and millions more wish they did. The piano is also cool. But the tuba? Has any teenage boy ever played "air tuba" and fantasized about performing in front of thousands of screaming tuba-addled fans? Probably not--but not for lack of Bill Bell's trying.
Bill certainly had the chops, as you can tell from this valve-scorching clip of "Carnival of Venice." But he also had the rock star image down pat. Look at the outrageous costume, the wild hair, the sensual, rebellious stance that practically says "Groupies ahoy." No wonder he was only shown from the waist up when he appeared on Ed Sullivan.
Despite occasional "Bill Bell Is God" graffiti in England in the 60's, the kids never really took to Bill Bell And His Tuba. Discouraged, Bill and His Tuba eventually broke up to pursue unsuccessful solo careers. This one great record (an excellent choice for makeout sessions, by the way) is all that remains of their dimly meteoric trudge through the margins of pop stardom. Rock on, Bill. You too, Tuba.