King Drummer
Born Frederick Carver Bell, KD Bell started out as a drummer and singer as a child in Union Springs, Alabama. As soon as he was old enough, he hit the road and wound up in Miami, backing and touring with the likes of James Brown, LaVerne Baker, The Coasters, Clyde McFadden, Sam & Dave, Wilson Pickett, The Marvalettes, The Drifters, Ben E. King, Wayne Cochran and many more. He studied drums with Sonny Payne of the Count Basie Band and Dave Akins of the Dave Akins Trio. While still very young, some of these greats dubbed him the "King Drummer," hence the nickname "KD." KD left Miami to come to New England in 1968.