The Bell Sisters

The Life and Career of Cynthia and Kay Strother

Kay Bell (Solo)

Appearance
LIDO BALLROOM – Long Beach, California

Kay sang with band on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Was paid $10 for four-hour shift.

Radio
MISS ABSENTEE BALLOT

Armed Forces Radio & Television Service
Recorded series of radio announcements from “Miss Absentee Ballot” (Kay) reminding the troops overseas to absentee vote in the November presidential election. Kay was paid $32.50 per 5 minute recording.

Radio
COMPASS-5

Armed Forces Radio & Television Service; written by Ross Vincent
Hosted by Elmer Peterson and Kay Bell
Recorded 72 five-minute programs offering social studies travelogue of NATO countries for broadcast overseas (NATO and SEATO propaganda). Kay was again paid $32.50 per 5 minute recording.

“The Coed”: Kay acts the part of a young, inquiring coed from an “American college” who wants to know about different countries in the world and their relationship with the United States. Copies of scripts for episodes #18-20 in family possession.

Article
LONG BEACH STATE FORTY-NINER, p. 3 TEXT
Long Beach, California
Title: State Senior Servies Country in Radio Broadcast to Servicemen
By Mona Seymour
Text

Appearance
DISNEYLAND SPACE BAR – Anaheim, California
 IMAGE TEXT
Kay worked with the Space Men (Johnny Schmidt and Sonny Anderson). She performed with them as many as 6 nights a week, even while attending Long Beach State College for her Bachelor of Arts degree in English. Their act included “Kansas City, Here I Come.”

Pay: In 1962, Kay earned $33.50/hour at Disneyland.

New Name: The “Space Bar” is now known as the “Tomorrowland Terrace.”

Recording
(The Original) SURFER’S STOMP, Pt. I
 AUDIO (J. Schmidt – W. Anderson)
(The Original) SURFER’S STOMP, Pt. II AUDIO (J. Schmidt – W. Anderson)
Side 1: “The Tuffs” with Kay Bell; Side 2: “Kay Bell” with The Tuffs
Dot Records 45-16304 / 45 rpm

CD/LP Release: Pt. I appears on the Romulan LP “Girls in the Garage.” Pt. II appears on Varese Sarabande CD “Wax, Board and Woodie” (VSD-5726).

[TOO MANY MORE DETAILS!]

Appearance
DOMINO – Anaheim, California
 IMAGE
Four week appearance during semester break. Performed with Sonny Anderson (vibes and piano), Johnny Schmidt (tenor sax) (Sonny and Johnny were members of “The Spacemen” at Disneyland), Dennis “Woody” Woodrich (guitar), Gary Homer (drums).

Television
“Meet Me at Disneyland” (Swingin’ Through Space)
 IMAGE
Live television broadcast from Disneyland
Also appearing were The Four Freshmen, Annette Funicello, Jimmy Dodd, Dick and Dee-Dee and astronaut (and eventually Senator) John Glenn
Performed “Misty” and “Twisting Last Summer.”

Television
“Meet Me at Disneyland” (Talent on Parade)

Live televison broadcast from Disneyland; as “Kay Bell and the Spacemen”
Performed “Disneyland Twist” and second selection.

Brief Series: This was the last episode of the 13 episode series.

Recording
SCREAM ALONG (with the Monster)
 IMAGE (K. Bell – W. Anderson – G. Withee)
SURFER’S BLUES AUDIO (K. Bell – W. Anderson)
as Kay Bell and the Spacemen
Recorded Live at Disneyland
Buena Vista Records F-428 / 45 rpm

Recording / Radio
Recorded three 30-second radio spots for Disneyland, titled “Zip a Dee Doo Dah,” “Swingin’ with Kay,” and “Bip a Dee Bop a Dee Boo.” These spots were for the “Disneyland After Dark” promotion.
[ Radio Spot #1 AUDIO ]
[ Radio Spot #2 AUDIO ]
[ Radio Spot #3 AUDIO ]

Article
THE REGISTER, p. B12 TEXT
Orange County, California
Title: Fame Recalled : KAY BELL TRIES FOR BRAND NEW CAREER
Text, One Photo

BILL BAILEY AUDIO / STAND BY ME AUDIO 
(studio demo of Kay and jazz combo, date unknown, in family possession)

WILLOW AUDIO / GEORGIA ON MY MIND AUDIO / FOGGY LONDON TOWN AUDIO / MEDLEY : The Nearness of You, I Remember You, Our Love is Here to Stay AUDIO / SPEAK LOW AUDIO / THE LADY IS A TRAMP AUDIO 
(“live” demo of Kay and jazz combo, date unknown, in family possession)


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