Iris Bell - Charleston’s own musical genius
Iris Bell passed away on April 19th, 2008 at the age of 74. Thanks to her three daughters and filmmaker Kelley Thompson there is a permanent record of her life. At a memorial service held in May on the West Side of Charleston, April Pierson-Keating gave one of the best eulogies for a mother I have ever heard. Iris’ three daughters, besides April, are Terry and Elizabeth Bell. Other family and friends spoke about their love for Iris and musicians performed her music.
Pierson Keating, April’s son and a musician, plus local friends including Mary Ellen O’Farrell and George Daugherty spoke about their love for Iris and her music. I really appreciated what Daugherty said about her - that God spoke directly to humans through music, and thanks to Iris, many people including George were uplifted.
The second part of the CD shows a jam session with Pierson Keating, the grandson, and several local musicians including Bob Thompson playing songs of Iris’ and standard tunes.
Kelley Thompson did a great job filming and editing this tribute CD. Hopefully Iris will be inducted into the WV Music Hall of Fame some day and some of the footage can be included in the induction ceremony.
Michael Lipton, who was a friend of Iris’, attented the tribute ceremony and wrote a nice article for the Charleston Gazette about her. After listening to one of Iris’ songs played at the beginning of this film, I want to hear more. I wonder if anyone sells her music?
If you wish to obtain a copy of this DVD, contact April Pierson-Keating at - aprilkeating@gmail.com. She and her sisters are working on creating a website devoted to their mother and establishing the Iris Bell Memorial Fund.
Here is the piece I wrote about Bell posted in May on this WVfilm blog.
Poster with Iris Bell for sale at Wolfgang’s Vault for $ 755
