Art Bell
Art Bell, a prominent figure in the realm of paranormal radio, was born on June 17, 1945, and passed away on April 13, 2018. He gained widespread recognition as the host of the late-night radio program “Coast to Coast AM,” which explored topics ranging from UFOs and conspiracy theories to the supernatural and unexplained phenomena. Bell’s educational background and employment history, coupled with his keen interest in the UFO and UAP (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) field, have shaped his career and influence on this subject.
Art Bell attended the University of Maryland, where he pursued a degree in engineering. However, he left before completing his studies, opting to follow other paths of interest.
Prior to his radio career, Bell had diverse employment experiences. He served in the United States Air Force as a medic during the Vietnam War. After his military service, he worked as a disc jockey for various radio stations across the country, honing his skills as a broadcaster. These experiences laid the foundation for his successful transition into the world of paranormal talk radio.
- One of the unique facts about Art Bell is his famous interview with a man named Mel Waters, who claimed to have discovered a mysterious bottomless hole on his property in Washington State. This interview took place on Bell’s show “Coast to Coast AM” and gained significant attention. The story of Mel Waters and the bottomless hole became a popular urban legend, with various accounts and discussions circulating online. (Source: Coast to Coast AM)
- Another notable aspect of Art Bell’s career was his involvement with the Phoenix Lights incident. On March 13, 1997, thousands of witnesses reported seeing a series of mysterious lights in the sky over Arizona. Bell extensively covered this event on his show, featuring interviews with eyewitnesses, military personnel, and experts. The Phoenix Lights incident remains one of the most widely-discussed UFO sightings in modern history. (Source: Phoenix Lights Network)
- Art Bell authored a book titled “The Quickening: Today’s Trends, Tomorrow’s World.” The book, published in 1997, explored various societal and global trends and their potential impacts on the future. While it touched on topics such as conspiracy theories and prophecies, it was not specifically focused on UFOs or the paranormal. Bell aimed to provide an analysis of cultural shifts and technological advancements. (Source: Amazon)
Some consider him a pioneer who provided a platform for marginalized voices and alternative ideas, fostering a sense of community among UFO enthusiasts.
Books written about Art Bell include “The Art of Talk” by John Wing, which looks into Bell’s life and career in radio. The book examines his influence on the paranormal talk show genre and his impact on popular culture.
His show, “Coast to Coast AM,” garnered a massive following, attracting millions of listeners worldwide and influencing subsequent generations of paranormal radio hosts. The nature of his show allowed for a diverse range of viewpoints and stories to be shared, which meant that not all claims made by guests were scientifically validated or universally accepted.
In an episode of the radio show “Coast to Coast AM” hosted by Art Bell in 1997, which became known as the Area 51 Caller incident. In this segment, a frantic caller claiming to be a former employee of Area 51 calls into the live show. He sounds distressed and paranoid, expressing urgency and fear about revealing sensitive information. He claims that what people think of as aliens are actually “extra-dimensional beings” that an earlier precursor of the space program made contact with. These beings are infiltrating the military establishment, particularly at Area 51, and he implies that they are not benevolent.
The caller warns of impending disasters known to the government and suggests that there are safe areas around the world where populations could be moved. However, he asserts that the government is not taking action to protect people but rather is allowing major population centers to be wiped out to make the remaining population more easily controllable.
Midway through the call, the radio show goes off-air due to an unknown disruption, leading to speculation and further mystery surrounding the incident. When the show returns, it’s on a backup system, and the host and a caller discuss the strange occurrence, noting how unusual and sudden the interruption was. Art Bell mentions that the transmitter went down completely, which was an unprecedented event in his years of broadcasting.
This incident has been a subject of intrigue and conspiracy theories for many years, discussing the possibility of government cover-ups, alien contact, and interdimensional beings. The mysterious nature of the caller’s message, the sudden disconnection of the broadcast, and the emotional intensity of the call have continued to fuel speculation and discussion about the reality of Area 51 and what might truly be happening there.
Art Bell was a prominent figure in the realm of paranormal talk radio, known for hosting shows like “Coast to Coast AM” and “Dreamland.” Bell’s impact and influence extended beyond radio, shaping discussions, and fostering a community of enthusiasts interested in the paranormal and fringe topics.
