(August 30, 2017) A mother and daughter, both in the limelight, had won over Europe through the last three decades of performance. Now, sadly the mother, Melissa Bell, has died at age 53 after a long battle with diabetes and kidney problems. As her daughter, X Factor winner and longtime SoulTracks fave Alexandra Burke, wrote on Twitter:
It is with the heaviest and saddest of hearts that the family inform you our beautiful, funny and loving mum, Melissa Bell, has passed away.
The London-born Bell began her career by guest performing with a number of groups in the UK before releasing her first solo single, “Reconsider.” The success of that song led Soul II Soul leader, Jazzy B, to enlist her to join the ensemble in 1993, and she immediately took the lead vocals that year on the moderate hit “Wish” and a year later on “Be A Man.”
Bell remained part of Soul II Soul for two years before going back out on her own. She continued her solo career, with some success, for the next decade plus, and wrote her autobiography, Heart And Soul, in 2010.
Bell leaves behind four children and a strong legacy of music.
