Background
Bell grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, where he graduated from University School in 1980.
Bell grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, where he graduated from University School in 1980.
He attended the University of Georgia and was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity where he, Michael Houser, and Dave Schools met while Houser was playing at an open mic night.
He is frequently called JB by fans. Foreign more than 25 years, the voice has fueled 150 concerts a year all over the country and created a road warrior mentality for the band and its fans. "Panic," as Houser was nicknamed, began playing with JB and Schools at local Athens, Georgia clubs, playing mostly cover songs.
John Bell is an active philanthropist, most notably as an advocate for Strategic Medical Alliances (spinal muscular atrophy).
Bell has helped raise over $2 million for Strategic Medical Alliances research, mostly through his involvement with "Hannah"s Buddies". He has also performed at various Habitat for Humanity benefit concerts put on by Warren Haynes.
John Bell has stated that The Cruise on Tues, and The Thursday Drive at 5, a college radio show hosted by Wes Mantooth and Krazy Kliewer was a huge inspiration for a bunch of new songs. Bell has said, "Now that their radio show is over, I have nothing to do but tour.
Widespread Panic.