Luke Bell, a country singer who sings “Where or Been?” Known for singing. And “The Bullfighter” is dead. He was 32 years old.
Bell was found dead in Tucson, Arizona on Friday, the Tucson Police Department confirmed to USA Today in a statement Tuesday. “At present, the investigation is on,” the police said. Further details were not disclosed.
A close friend of Bell’s, artist Matt Kinman, confirmed the musician’s death to Saving Country Music, which was the first to report the news. According to the outlet, Bell reportedly went missing in Tucson on August 20.
USA Today has contacted the Pima County Medical Examiner’s office for more information.
Born on January 27, 1990, in Lexington, Kentucky, Bell got his start in the music industry playing at a local bar during his college years, according to Saving Country Music. He was raised in Cody, Wyoming, and his music inspired him to spend some time in Tennessee, Texas, and Louisiana.
In Nashville, Tennessee, he recorded his 2014 album “Don’t Mind If I Do”, which he released on Bandcamp. In 2016, he released a self-titled album. In 2021, Bell released his latest song, “Jealous Guy”.
Before performing at the Stagecoach Country Music Festival in Indio, Calif., in 2016, Bell spoke to the Los Angeles Times about her music career.
“I was listening to people like John Prine,” he told the outlet, “then I moved to Austin for a few years and got into the Texas Tornado and that scene. Then I went to New Orleans. I was only there for about six months. I was living in a molding trailer that smelled of bleach in the lower 9th ward. It was tough.”
Bell also spoke about his “inclusive” nature and not being part of Nashville’s songwriting community: “I’m just trying to make my songs better and better.”
“I was listening to people like John Prine,” he told the outlet, “then I moved to Austin for a few years and got into the Texas Tornado and that scene. Then I went to New Orleans. I was only there for about six months. I was living in a molding trailer that smelled of bleach in the lower 9th ward. It was tough.”
Bell also spoke about his “inclusive” nature and not being part of Nashville’s songwriting community: “I’m just trying to make my songs better and better.”
Singer Joshua Headley shared that “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen (Bell) and I was just talking to him the other day about what he was up to.”
“Really a sad night for country music,” Headley said.
Singer Shelby Lee Lowe wrote that Bell’s one record is “better than most artists spending a lifetime trying to make.”
“So cool and so different,” Lowe wrote. “I am saddened to hear of his passing. I am grateful that I got this record.”
The band Mike and the Moonpies paid tribute to Bell on Monday.
The band’s Facebook statement read, “Word has just come down on the passing of Luke Bell and we are heartbroken by the news.” “I can clearly remember that I first met Luke a decade ago at Hole in the Wall, with the clothes on his back. The man (and his music) made an impression. He was a real deal.” Joe was traveling out there. Lost that highway. Do yourself a favor and put some Luke Bell tunes in his memory tonight. Rest in peace, dude.”