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January 11, 2006
WORLDWIDE OUTPOURING OF SUPPORT FOR RADIO LEGEND Ramona Bell dead at 47ART BELL IS IN SECLUSION, ASKS FOR PRIVACY AND NO FLOWERS
By GINA B. GOOD
Over the years the internationally known radio talk show host of Coast to Coast AM has reduced his duties on the show to Sunday nights and hosting specials, such as his annual Halloween and New Year prediction shows. However, Bell remains the gold standard by which other hosts are measured. His wife of 15 years occasionally appeared on the show, which is broadcast between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. from the couple's Pahrump home. More than 400 radio stations broadcast the program. Although extremely outgoing on air, Bell is one of the town's most reclusive citizens and he requested through a spokesman that no obituary be published or flowers sent. Ramona's funeral will be held in Pahrump in a private service. It was announced on Coast to Coast AM, the popular overnight radio show Bell created, that he has been deeply touched by the outpouring of sympathy and love shown by listeners. He has already received thousands of cards and e-mail messages. The Pahrump Valley Times received in excess of 400 e-mails from listeners around the world who also offered condolences. Several phone calls were made to newspaper employees on Tuesday reporting Art Bell had been found dead that morning. Fortunately, those reports proved false. Coast to Coast AM is hosted during the week by George Noory, who took the helm when Bell semi-retired. The show can be heard locally on KNYE radio, 91.5 FM from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. It is replayed in its entirety from 2-6 a.m. and is very popular with long-haul truckers, graveyard shift workers and insomniacs. Bell created the show's free-ranging format, which welcomes interviews with rocket scientists to ghost busters. On Sunday, the show repeated one of Bell's interviews from Nov. 17, 1997 in place of his usual live show. KNYE, whose slogan is "Where things go Pahrump in the night," has been in operation for the past three years. Establishing their own radio station in Pahrump had been a longtime dream of both Art and Ramona's that they accomplished through years of perseverance. According to information on the Coast to Coast AM Web site, the exact cause of Ramona's death has not been determined. She apparently died in her sleep. Until her death, Art and Ramona Bell had not been apart a day since they were married. She had suffered from asthma for years and took her normal steps to control the attacks, but one might have occurred in Laughlin where the Bells were taking a brief vacation - that led to her demise. Bell has announced his retirement from the show several times, including in October 1998 when he said he needed to leave because of a ``terrible event'' affecting his family. Bell did not return e-mail correspondences or a phone call made to the KNYE office. For those who wish to offer condolences, cards and letters (no flowers) may be sent to: Art Bell Premier Radio Networks 15260 Ventura Blvd. 5th floor Sherman Oaks, CA 91403. The Associated Press contributed to this story. |
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