Laurie Bell

Rip It Up, Issue 101, 1 December 1985, Page 6

Laurie Bell

Duncan Campbell

The music industry is mourning the tragic loss of Laurie Bell, killed in a motor accident on the outskirts of Palmerston North on November 23, just two days before his 31st birthday. John Rowles was among those at the funeral, and messages of sympathy were also received from the likes of U2, Victor Borge and Richard Clayderman.

What these widely different entertainers had in common was a deep respect for a fine organiser, a man who set up tours, making sure things worked, so the people in the spotlight could get on with their jobs.

"He was the person we relied upon the most to get the show up and running,” says promoter Mike Corliss. "It got to the stage where we could produce a tour schedule and leave the rest to him PA, lights, backstage, anything wanted at the gig, whatever the performers needed, he could produce it. He was irreplaceable.”

Long-time friend and business associate Greg Peacock, who was injured in the same accident, has similar memories of a very efficient operator.

"He could organise anything, from cut flowers to a 40-foot semitrailer. He was stage manager for all the Sweetwaters festivals, which was an unprecedented operation for New Zealand. I don't think they could do another Sweetwaters without Laurie, it just wouldn’t be the same."

Roger King, manager of DD Smash, used Laurie Bell to organise several tours.

“I knew I could relax if we had Laurie. You'd never hear about the problems, he’d just deal with them quietly and efficiently." Laurie Bell started out working in Beggs' music store, but his early jobs included a spell as a fireman, working in a takeaway bar, some time with WEA, warehouse manager for Direction Records and manager of the acoustic band Waves.

In 1978, he went to Los Angeles, where he worked for Studio Instrument Rentals, the largest instrument and equipment hire service in the US. He returned to New Zealand

late in 1980, when he became ing volved in both the Sweetwaters and g Nambassa festivals. It was here that o Laurie Bell established New S: Zealand's international reputation by as being a good place to perform, d free of so many of the hassles that § tend to dog concert tours in other countries. o While his no-nonsense approach o was widely respected, he also had g a reputation as a joker. King recalls Bell’s fondness for squirting people

with a water pistol at unexpected moments, and more than one answerphone has fallen victim to his bizarre messages. At the time of his death, Laurie Bell was returning to Auckland, having organised the Commodores' tour. A working man who died with his boots on. Rip It Up extends its deepest sympathy to his family and many friends.

A trust fund has been set up for Laurie’s five-year-old son, Matthew. Inquiries and contributions should be sent to PO Box 39-281, Auckland.