Chapter 6 Lahser High School - Spencer Bell Legacy Project

Chapter Six:
School: Lahser High School / Sheer Funk & Misery
Rachel Beider remembers how important life at Interlochen had been for Spence:
Spencer was definitely a mischievous character, and I accidentally kidnapped him once, without any
knowledge. I was making a weekend trip from West Bloomfield up to Traverse City, to see some
Interlochen friends and hang out in my family's summer cabin on the peninsula. This was the summer
of 2002. Spencer said he'd love to join me for the weekend, and that it was okay, so I picked him up from
his house and proceeded to drive upstate. We stopped for lunch in East Lansing, to see my friend Jordan
who went to MSU. On the drive up, Spence kept getting 'where are you?' type phone calls, and finally
admitted that he was under some sort of "grounded" status at home, so I ended up having to drive him
to the nearest MSU Bus Station, so he wouldn't get into trouble, and he got back home safely and I think
unnoticed. Needless to say, it was a hilarious attempt at a weekend escape.
He had the biggest smile, gave the best hugs, and it was always wonderful to see him.
I miss him and think of him often.
A bit hard to read. But Spencer’s drive to get back up to Interlochen after he resigned was, at times,
very powerful. I’ll re-type what he wrote below but, as you can read from the big letters at the
bottom of the page, the need to go back to Interlochen was more than just a passing emotion:
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I’m sitting on a humid school bus in the early
afternoon just days after the one year anniversary
of 9-11. I just came to the bitter realization
everything that happens in your life before you
graduate high school is preparation for real life.
In the end I would have lost contact with
most of my Interlochen friends anyway. Because
after graduating from there I would have just
been more disappointed to leave. Either way, I need
to get back there, those people, that energy….. Atmosphere.
Yes, that’s the word, that Atmosphere (and condition?) of
the place is simply spectacular. I need those
people. I’ve become an addict I am hooked on
Interlochen chi.
Unfortunately, I can’t make out the rest from Spencer’s journal, except for the statement,
THAT PLACE
IS MY LIFE
BLOOD
….which is clear enough, I think.
After all, there was the other time Spencer said he absolutely must drive back up to Interlochen and we told
him that he had to pass a couple of tests (I think one was Japanese class where he eventually had to accept a
Pass/Fail grade anyway) before he could go. He didn’t pass the tests and was told he couldn’t go – hey,
that was the deal!… He went anyway, though. He took Falco to a friend’s house in Okemos (about a two
hour drive north of Bloomfield), parked it in front of her parents house and she drove them both up to
Traverse City.
Of course I couldn’t let that stand since I’d already told him know, so Deborah drove me to Spencer’s car
and I drove Falco all the way up to Traverse City – first calling and telling the police that I’d like him
picked up from where he was staying and brought to the police station to wait for me. When I arrived
Spencer was not openly angry, but he was silently seething. He didn’t say two words to me all the way
back to Bloomfield Hills.
Later on in his journal he had recorded that I had been a “lying bastard” because I had told him that he
could go….Actually, what I’d told him when he said that he was going to go even though he’d failed his
tests was, “go ahead and go and see what happens”…..Apparently he construed that to mean that I’d given
him permission….Oh, did I mention Spencer could be manipulative and was a master at turning things
around on people?
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Even at sixteen, Spencer was feeling the need to move on. He’d experienced being away from home and
being with like-minded spirits and artists and was convinced that it was with such souls his future lay.
When we brought him home from Interlochen he had thoughts of running away (though we never knew it
then)….his journals attest to that. But equally strong in his journals was his devotion to his brother Brady.
He knew (correctly) that it would devastate Brady to not have his ‘rock’ around. With Cathy and I
divorced, and Brady spending equal time at each house, Spencer was his constant, his guiding star.
Spencer wouldn’t abandon Brady.
One of Spencer’s journals includes a lyric (later to become the song, “Return To Earth”). He felt the pull
of the ocean, of his true friends and of life. He absolutely knew he needed to get busy with the business of
his life. He also knew that the world wouldn’t accept him ‘out there’ so young.
One of our pet names for Spencer when he was very young and which persisted off and on as he grew as
Little Louis….Lou Lou…….Louie.
“Return to Earth” as one of many autobiographical songs which would, over time, morph from poetry, to
lyrics to full fledged songs. It’s beautiful in its simplicity, yet true from the first word to the last:
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Louis’ Return to The Earth
Louis had his head up in the clouds
Louis played his guitar too damn loud
Louis had his priories figured out
He forgot how to sing, so all he did was shout.
Louis wrote a letter to his mom & dad
Said that he was leaving but he wasn’t mad
Louis said the ocean always called his name
After he replied, he was not the same
Louis returned to a bluer sky
Louis returned with more black in his eyes
Louis started writing everything in verse
When Louis returned from his return to the earth
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Louis laid his head down in the sand
He covered up the moon with the
palm of his hand,
He thought to himself that the
world was his to see.
But it didn’t matter,
cuz this is where he wanted to be
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Louis’ return to the earth
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Lahser and Model High Schools:
When Spencer began at Lahser in the Spring semester of his sophomore year, he felt lost. Not because he
was ‘the new kid’ (hell, he’d grown up with so very many of the kids he’d see at school), but because he
was going to be thrust back into the square peg/round hole world he’s so successfully escaped from just a
couple of years before. But Spencer didn’t complain – he just did what Spencer did best, he made the best
of it.
Thank all that is good that Spencer would meet the woman who would become his greatest ally and his
eventual liberator from hum-drum high school. Counselor Sheila Bailey remembers:
I remember the first day Spencer came to Lahser. He was new, transferring from Interlochen
Center for the Arts. I could tell after only a minute that he was not very happy to be here and was going
to miss the music and artistically, rich atmosphere that Interlochen had offered him. Spencer was
clearly bright, but came in feeling disappointed, and was hoping to return to the music school. My
daughter Shannon was at the school, so I asked her to show him around and hoped that her friendly
smile and personality would win him over. I wanted him to see that we were a very accepting school and
that Lahser is known for welcoming and celebrating all kinds of people. I met with Spencer a few times
over classes and schedules that semester and I think he came to realize that I was on his side; I would
help him any way I could. He seemed to enjoy Lasher, and was actually surprised that he did enjoy the
other students. The students were easily drawn to Spencer. They liked his ability to challenge authority
while still showing respect. They loved his artsy, musical side and wanted to be around him. Spencer
drew people to him; he soon gained pseudo- celebrity status in that the students liked to be part of his
life,
While we discussed his next semester, together we decided that he should give Model High School a try.
Spencer would be able to learn in an environment where he could explore his abilities and develop his
strengths. Once he started at Model, he found it met his educational needs and created a great niche for
him.
I also remember Spencer coming in and talking about many things, but generally, life. While I was
asking him about his plans for the future and his thoughts about where he could see himself , it became
obvious that he had a very clear idea of where he wanted to be and what he wanted to do. He was not
interested in the conventional path and when I suggested college, he informed me that he would go to
college, but on his own terms. He had other ideas of what he needed to do and he knew that his music
was the career he wanted to pursue. He would also ask me questions, which I found interesting, as most
teenagers are focused on their own lives. I remember arguing philosophical ideas with him and his
ability to articulate his thoughts was impressive. Spencer wanted to travel, to see other cultures, to hear
the music in other countries and understand the people. He liked the various religions and although he
did not think religion was for him, he understood how the idea of it was appealing to others. Spencer
was curious about many things: religion, politics, environment, music and art. He read a great deal and
seemed to be soul searching a little. Intellectually curious, he loved the challenge of a discussion. He
was fun, but yet serious. He chose his words carefully and did not spend much time on frivolous talk.
Spencer was quiet at times and seemed to be introspective, but could make you laugh as well as he put
things in perspective. One time he told me that people take themselves too seriously.
He took a student around for me once. I told him not to give his teacher opinions as he might scare them
off. He was very diplomatic and informed the student that the teachers each had things to offer and they
would eventually figure that out on their own.
When Spencer decided he wanted to graduate early, he told me what he had to do so that his parents
would let him. Then I told him what he had to do from the school’s perspective. When I asked why he
was so anxious to get out, he told me he had things to do and it was time to move on. I felt that he was
outgrowing high school and was very ready to move on.
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When I heard about Spencer’s illness, it hurt me a great deal. I remembered the look on his face the
first day he was here and I knew that he had his first encounter with how unfair life was at times. He
was in a school where he felt he belonged and could flourish and yet, had to leave because of a mistake.
He was angry and hurt and couldn’t understand why people are not allowed to make mistakes. So I was
picturing that same look on his face, when doctors told him how sick he was. What did he do to deserve
this? Clearly, nothing, but if he ever believed in a religion, this would help answer it; his time had come
and someone needed him. He would laugh at that answer, but what other answer is there?
As sure as I sit here and type these words, I am convinced to this day that Sheila was as responsible for
Spencer successfully getting through high school and on with his life as anyone, anywhere. He trusted her
and she was his advocate - not just to the administration when he wanted to graduate early (with less than
stellar grades) but to Cathy and me when we would visit with her time and again to “find out what we could
do” to help Spencer engage in school. She always convinced us that Spencer and she had it under control.
There were a couple of other influences (and blessings) that found their way into Spencer’s life when he
began a Lahser. One of his most enduring friendships would start almost immediately. Jessie Kezlarian
recalls:
NOTE: The following is excerpted from a letter sent by Jesse Kezlarian to Marney Keenan for use in
her DETROIT NEWS article:
We first met in high school, Lahser High School in Bloomfield Hills.
I remember walking down the main hallway and seeing this tall moppy-headed kid, wearing baggy
clothes and Birkenstocks. We passed, watching one another. Then we both stopped, walked back and
shook hands. I commented on his long hair, and he on my hippy stank of patchouli. And were friends
ever since.
Our group of friends would meet during school or after, depending on if we could skip. We would
gather at Leo’s Coney Island off of Opdyke. My sisters, brie and Emily, my good friends Emily Katz,
Molly Faultersack and Natalie Labute were the regulars. We would sit and talk and drink coffee for
hours and hours and hours. We would play cards and just giggle.
Leo’s Coney Island
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A little time after high school he moved to New York. We still kept in touch through email and the
phone. He came back to Michigan for a little bit before leaving for Madison. There was some issue and
he left a few days before schedule. I was upset because he was going to miss my birthday, but he stopped
by my house before hitting the highway. He apologized and explained the importance of him leaving
early. For my present he gave me his favorite book, John Donne’s prose and poems. It wasn’t until
later that I realized how important that book was to him. And now I know how lucky I am for him to
have shared it with me.
Leo’s Coney Island was the center of Spencer’s life back home in Bloomfield. Coffee, cigarettes, cards,
journal writing - all of it was there for him. Once thing Spencer was the best at, I think, was his ability to
find things and places that made him happy and content. Whatever restlessness he experienced in life, he
always found the solutions himself.
Another Leo’s memory from TJ Muir:
i remember sitting at leo's and playing chess with him for hours. we would smoke cigs and talk about
things. i remember him doing this move where our pawns were right next to each other and he moved
his pawn diagonally across and put it behind my pawn and took my pawn, i said what the heck are you
doing? he explained to me that move was called On Passont and it was a special move in chess not a lot
of people knew about. to be completely honest i thought he was making the whole thing up but the way
he explained it in such detail and the overall passion of his explanation just made me smile and play on,
the way he lowered his voice just slightly made me feel like he was letting me in on a ancient chess
secret, little things like explaining to me the mechanics on the 'on passant' move just really captivated
me.
another leos coffee shop memory is when he had with him one on his journals, it was a red hard cover
book with a drawing on the front and i think i volume number to it, so obviously it wasn’t his only
journal, but one of many. he takes it out and uses his straw to put tiny water marks all over the page. im
sitting back like what in the world is spencer doing now so i watch in wonderment as he continues to
drop water on the page. then he took his cigarette and ashed in each of the watermark droplets that were
sitting on the page and smeared it all around. when he was done the picture he was was crazy, it looked
like a true work of art, and at that point i remember thinking to myself, wow this man can create art out
of literally anything so naturally, spencer is a genius.
i remember in our high school daze at model we would always carpool together usually with emily katz
or natalie or someone and always have good ol times lol,
i remember when he was in nyc he showed me a website with his music had been making on it, i thought
wow for sure spencer is going to make it in the music industry this stuff freakin rocks. i also remember
him sending my a video file of an animation that he made and i was once again blown away by his
ability to dabble in any form of art and be able to create really moving stuff.
i remember driving with him to a party and freestyle rapping with him lol we were such goofballs
sometimes but spencer was never afraid to be himself and i think that kind of attitude rubbed off on me
whenever i would be around him.
i remember when my parents went out of town for a week and left me home alone spencer stayed at my
house pretty much that whole week, we had a lot of fun.... it was crazy
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i remember me and spence and mike campbell one summer hanging out everyday for like 3months and
we would talk about just the craziest deepest conversations ever, spencer was the best person to talk to
because even though he had a lot to say and a lot to add on a conversation he always would listen to
what you said and actually think about your opinion and reform his ideas based on your conversation
with him and i always thought that was an incredible skill spencer had, not many people, especially
people who tend to lead and control conversations, can listen as well as lead and control and i thought
he was really an amazing person to be around for that quality and i always deeply enjoyed his
conversations.
TJ mentioned Mike Campbell. Mike went through some troubled times in high school. It certainly isn’t
for me to detail here (and I’m certain I only know a very small part of it), but Spencer was fiercely loyal
and protective of Mike - I know because we spoke about him a few times and Spencer had a great deal of
emotion and affection for him all the way to the end of his life. Mike shared the following beautiful
expression of his affection for Spencer:
SPENCER
Pure gliding chromed-out confidence.
Liquid intuition. A sense for the absurd.
I was with you for a timewhen we were treading the lines.
Both falling and flyingAt the same time.
Laughing on the way up.
Laughing on the way down.
Our eyes were roundLike crystal balls.
The future is what we found.
And we wrote it all out.
I feel your presence.
Between our reconnaissance.
I sent you a message.
You sent one back.
You told me to write this down and i took your advice.
We saw beauty. We saw void.
We saw that which we cannot avoid.
You intended it to be this way.
The way it is today.
You were always changing
until the last breath of the ocean waves
came to take you away.
We knew it would be this way.
The way it is now.
The future is now is gone.
And today will be yesterday's tomorrow.
And we are with you now at the end 65
today - yesterday - and tomorrow.
From one to infinity you are with me
and i am everything
and everyone.
Spencer,
You grew so much in the time i knew you. I think i'll always be able to see your footsteps when
i'm walking where i need to go. I didn't cry for years before you left, and then i cried for a week. I've
been able to cry and connect with my emotions ever since. I love you and admire you so much. You are
GLOWING!
You saw me struggle and offered me help and inspiration when it was due. I loved learning from you
more than anything. Beautiful words, Restrained brilliance. The last message i left you said, "You
comin to town for christmas? I can't wait to see you man..."
That message resonates.
I mentioned that there were other positive influences on Spencer’s life in high school beyond his
counselor/friend Sheila Bailey and friendships…words and music. And, we all know, both would form the
cornerstone of Spencer’s self for the last four or five years of his life. At times, nothing else would matter.
The birth of Sheer Funk and Misery was both fascinating and utterly amazing to watch. As Spencer’s Dad
I thought it was ‘cute’ that he was in a band. I was happy that he’d found others to play music with and
(probably even happier) that he wasn’t apt to quit school or leave home before graduation now that he had
his band. Matt Hill (a founding member of the band not yet named Sheer Funk and Misery) remembers:
The four years I spent at Lahser High were no different than anyone else. If there was a difference it
would be in who touched me and who was closest to me. My junior year was a year that came with
memories that I will be forced to never forget. Most of them were not pleasant, but if I was asked to do
them all over I would in a second. The reason why this is relevant is because during that year a person
was amongst me that would impact my life very drastically in the years to come. Spencer Bell transferred
into my school that year and at first I was weary of him only because he didn’t talk to me much. He was
in the same acting class as I was. He was always one of the first kids to come up on stage, or to present a
monologue. Meanwhile all the other students struggled trying to memorize the same thing. He always
used words only the teacher could understand, and his speech demonstrated his knowledge at all times.
It was a normal day and I was procrastinating on a project in the library when Ryan Hagelman had
asked me if I knew how to sing, and rap. I was weary of him at first too because I had never talked to
him before. He said he needed a singer for his band so they could perform in the variety show that year
and I said yes. We practiced a lot and got ready for tryouts which were a couple weeks away. I was
nervous for tryouts but to no avail we did a great job. Then we thought we would stay for a little longer
and see who else was going to try out and see everyone else’s routine. Spencer came up on stage and
played a song called Big Blue Sun, and instantly the song had everyone’s head bobbing along to it. It
was the most beautiful song written by someone I was so close to. You could look around the room and
see everyone’s face that had never talked to him before and see the shock that such an amazing song was
coming from him. The fact that he had written it himself was even better. Immediately after tryouts were
over the entire band ran up on stage and talked to him and asked him to play with us sometime. Spencer
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agreed to have a jam session with us. After playing just once together Spencer was already a part of the
band. So instead of Spencer having a separate set, and us having a separate set, we just combined the
two. For those that had heard Spencer’s song at tryouts couldn’t stop thinking about that song.
Spencer’s name was buzzing through the hallways instantly. It wasn’t long before we hung out together
everyday. Since he didn’t have a car I would always drive him home after school and I would always
pick him up from his theatre practices in Royal Oak . Since then we were inseparable and hung out
every day. I remember I looked up to him because he liked to party like a true rock star. I remember I
used to drive him, and Jessie around during lunch so they could smoke. I remember I bought a pipe that
I was smoking tobacco out of to be cool and Spencer came with me to pick it out. I found out quickly
after many stomach aches that it wasn’t so cool and I gave it to Spencer. Spencer’s music and
personality I was addicted to after getting to know him. I remember I kept thinking how could this
person have been in my class for so long without ever saying a word to him. I used to call him for advice
on my relationship all the time and he was always there rain or shine to help me out.
About a week before the show Spencer and I were on our way to band practice and he screamed quick I
need paper!!! I looked all over my car for some but couldn’t find any. He said again I NEED PAPER!!!
I then asked why, as I looked at him with confusion. He then reached into my backseat where there was
a paper bag, and tore it up and started writing on it. He then looked at me with that classic Spencer
smile, and said “for a song dude!” At first I was pissed and in shock that I nearly swerved across two
lanes, hit another car, and almost hit the median looking for paper. But then after that I was just
anxious to get to band practice in one piece. Alex’s house was only five minutes away, and by the time
we got there the entire paper bag was full front, and back with lyrics to a song that was in his head. That
night we were trying to think of a name for our band. We even went so far as to try names like The
Cartoon Junkies, or The Big Red Button. Everyone had their own idea for a name but nobody could
agree on one. The next day was the day of the first show and Spencer and I were sitting next to each
other in acting as usual. Spencer was reading a book called The Invisible Man and he looked at me and
said “I’m going to flip to a random page close my eyes and point at a sentence, and see if maybe well
find something cool.” I don’t recall what page he ended up falling on but when he chose it and picked
the sentence he read out the words sheer, funk, and misery. Me and Spence looked at each other
instantly, and said THAT’S THE NAME! We just hoped that Ryan, Pierce, and Alex would think the
same, which of coarse they did. That night at the show I was so nervous I nearly threw up minutes
before we went on. But as soon as the curtains opened and they started playing it was much easier. It
was just the five of us, and the music that was produced by them was incredible. Spencer was the brains
of it though. His music, his knowledge, and his interpretation of life was a huge influence on all of the
music they made. I remember when I was out of the band I was depressed because I knew I wasn’t going
to be a part of that experience anymore. Sometimes I would run into the other band members and
everything was fine. I was always friends with Spencer though. Him and I never had a single
confrontation or any terrible conversations. Every aspect of me being around him bettered my life in
every way.
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(left to right): Ryan Hagelman, Matt Hill, Spencer Bell, Pierce Codina, Alex Klein (Lahser Talent Show)
I remember when we used to sneak out to orange lake because we couldn’t leave for lunch to smoke
cigarettes. Spencer always smoked lucky strike unfiltered. Whenever he would finish a cigarette I
remember seeing tar stains all over his fingers. Also one of my other friends Ramona had a cousin from
Romania come visit, and Spencer got a kick out of him right from the start. I remember he couldn’t stop
laughing at the fact that his name was Mehigh. I remember we hung out with him quite a bit together
that summer. We used to get booze and chill on the top of the parking structures in Birmingham . Then
we would sneak into the movies since I worked there at the time. We remained close until I graduated,
and as a matter of fact I think I still have his old screen name on my buddy list (The Spence). If I would
have known I was never going to see him again I would have visited him every chance I would have got.
I believe everyone has a purpose, and when your purpose is served your life is taken. In Spencer’s case I
believe his music, as well as the gift of music was given to us through him. To this day I have not sat
next to a musician better than him. The thing that really upset me about it though is listening to his song
Big Blue Sun after I found out about his death. The song just seemed too ironic, and so profound. That
song was and always will be a gift to me and anyone else who hears it. Spencer Bell had a legacy even
though he was still so young. The thing that is the most true to me is that even though he died young, he
still made something of himself. He was and will always be one of my best friends. I as well as everyone
else who comes in contact with his music will be eternally grateful for what he and his music has done.
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Of all of the members of Sheer Funk and Misery, Spencer’s relationship with Pierce Codina would be the
most enduring and their connection would last to the end of Spencer’s life.
Pierce was ‘there’ for so much of Spencer’s Lahser life and was generous to share the following:
Metaphorical Soap
The first time I ever exchanged words with Spencer Bell was, very appropriately, on a backlit stage in
High School. I had seen him awkwardly and lazily slouch through the halls with hair covered eyes and
dark aviators, but it would weeks after his arrival at Lahser until we would be properly introduced. I
should clarify that when I say properly introduced, I mean to say that I met the only side of Spencer I
would ever understand, his songs. It was February of 2002, just five months after September 11th and
just seven months after my arrival to the United States from Argentina . Spencer was trying out for our
High School talent show and of course, he was the final audition. I stood side stage as he played one of
his first original songs, Big Blue Sun. I remember being absolutely mesmerized by his voice, but most of
all by his lyrics. Most kids auditioning went up and sang cheesy punk songs, ones created by other
people no less. Spencer’s was original and best of all had a vibe I’d never heard before. It was the
feeling of calm urgency, the sound of a beautiful end, the whistle of man strolling through a park at the
dawn of an apocalypse. Spencer finished his song proudly and remained seated in the audition chair
while the student council nodded in approval and gathered their belongings. I rushed over to him
immediately and told him how much I loved his song. Spencer let out his infamous grunt grrrhmm, and
said “why thank you, what’s your name man?” I said, “I’m Pierce, are you new here at Lasher too? I
just moved here from Argentina .” He was a little thrown back by where I said I had moved from and all
of a sudden the other side of Spencer was properly introduced. “ Argentina ? Are you some kind of
spick?” Up until this point, I imagined Spencer to be some kind of free loving, overtly politically correct
hippy and, of course, he proved me wrong. “No, I’m American” I said, “my Dad just got a job down
there.” Of course I was pretty thrown back by his comment, I couldn’t tell if he was rude, maybe a bully?
Nah, he looked more like a giant teddy bear than a bully. In any case, he ended the awkward
conversation early and asked “well, you wanna hear another one?” He played me two or three more
songs as the auditorium cleared out. He would finish a line in a verse and I would smile, or laugh. He
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ended one chorus early because we both burst out laughing at how funny it was. He had songs about
girls, blind girls, love, and joints. I listened to each lyric methodically and fell in love with his message,
whatever it was. He finished his repertoire and I asked if he had ever played a show before, he told my
only one. Then I told him something I’d tell him every so often for the entire time I knew Spencer, I said
“ I think I’m your biggest fan.” At this point I had heard more lyrics than conversation from Spencer,
and I suspect that might have been a good thing. My first time meeting Spencer, I was intimidated to say
the least. I could tell that he liked my interest in his music, but I was too damn nervous to even spit out
the fact that I played drums in a band that needed a singer. Every singer we tried out practically had a
panic attack at the microphone and here, finally was a kid who boldly and beautifully sang his own
material. Later that day I called my friend/guitarist Ryan and told him I had found the perfect singer for
our new band. I was surprised to find out that Ryan had already recruited him as our singer and he’d be
playing with us later that weekend. And so, my high school band, Sheer Funk and Misery began with me
on drums and Spencer Bell on lead vocals.
Playing music with Spencer was always a joyous occasion. I progressed more as a musician in
the two years I played with Spencer than any other time in my life. He was, till this day, the most talented
musician I have ever played with, even at a young age. He was literally a genius with songs, and had the
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remarkable ability to listen. He never intruded upon your space as a singer. We would play him a song
and like a chameleon he would blend in discreetly and brilliantly. Most singers show up to practice with
a completed song and force the remaining members to blend with their vibe. Spencer however was
completely unselfish when it came to songwriting. Whatever I felt as a drummer, he could put words to
as a lyricist. Our practice sessions were a whirlpool of spontaneous songwriting and it felt good. He had
a unique process which involved us playing a song three or four times and him frantically flipping
through one of the numbered journals he carried with him everywhere. He’d turn the pages, count in his
head and gnaw at his fingernails until something clicked. Often times, nothing did click. In those cases
he would simply say “sorry guys, no songs today.” At one rehearsal, Ryan questioned Spencer’s method
and asked” Why don’t you just write new lyrics instead of flipping through your book?” Spencer in turn
loudly yelled at Ryan saying “Dammit Ryan! You can’t tell an artist to art!”
Spencer’s source of motivation was somewhat of a mystery to everybody, he often times
appeared to be lazy. I only had one class with Spencer at school and during the entire semester I think
he might have said one word. Every time homework was to be passed in he’d either turn in a blank sheet
of paper, or just giggle sarcastically. He’d wear dark sunglasses and whenever questioned by the teacher
he’d always respond that fluorescent lights hurt his eyes, it was a bizarre medical problem he’d say. I’ve
heard stories of Spencer being an absolute riot in class, but my experience was radically different. He
was completely tuned out to school from my view, but always tuned in to art. Artistically speaking he was
anything but lazy. He would show up to school in the morning with half a book of poetry and drawings.
It was as if he could stop time at night to write. I never understood where on earth he found the time to
create such mass quantities of art, but he had a routine which was somewhat of a ritual and it worked.
My days in High School with Spencer outside of rehearsal were odd mixture of playing shows,
boredom and close calls with authority figures. We had begun to play shows and Spencer’s ability to
entertain while under the spotlight was remarkable. Even when we’d stop to tune or fix a drum head,
he’d find a way to conjure up a laugh. If no one laughed, well then he’d find something shocking to say,
anything to make people feel..something. Our group won almost every contest we were in and at sixteen,
that meant everything. One battle of the bands we showed up proudly displaying Mitch Album Show
entry stickers on our chests. Other bands hated our guts, but we felt like kings. I suppose we all started to
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get a bit cocky, which is how a silly feud with another local band called “The Gremlins” started. A
“mysterious post” on their online message board was found ranting about how their music was a sad
excuse for electronic experimental. Of course towards the end of the post the “mysterious poster”
commented on how they were a fan of Sheer Funk and Misery and that they would beat them at the
upcoming battle of the bands. Spencer denied it was ever him, though when he did he always had a
smirk on his face which would give us a good laugh and keep us on our toes. We actually ended up
losing the contest, to the Gremlins no less and one night in Birmingham Spencer’s wits came to an end.
We were outside what was then a Tower Records along with a whole herd of teenagers from all the
surrounding High Schools. The bassist of the Gremlins, Bill, recognized Spencer and I from Sheer Funk
and Misery and immediately started making obscene gestures with a Popsicle, in front of about 50 kids.
Up until this point I think Spencer secretly loved their music and was a bit envious that they were
probably just as good as us. We were looking for any reason to hate them, because in our minds they
were competition. They really were weird kids, and I suppose even cockier than us, so looking back on it
it’s hard to feel guilty about the entire ordeal. In any case, the entire crew of Gremlins (along with their
weirdo friends) all started to gang up on Spencer and I. They never threw a punch or pushed us but
they’d do weird shit like spit on our shoes and force their fingers down their throats as if they were going
to spew. I could tell Spencer was getting pissed as he stood absolutely still and starred in disgust. Finally
he turned to me and said, “ Pierce..Hold my book!” For some reason, probably because it was my first
fight, I remember it was Book III of Spencer’s ever growing catalog of journals. I knew he meant
business anytime he put his book down. Spencer pounced on Bill like a rabid dog and gave him repeated
blows to the skull. At this point their friends jumped on me and I wrestled with the drummer (how
appropriate) until we almost ended up in the street. About five minutes into the scuffle the Birmingham
cops showed and broke up the fiasco. Of course, being Birmingham police, they wanted to know exactly
who started the fight. They lined us all up against the Tower Records wall and very authoritatively
investigated each one of us. Spence and I were greatly outnumbered, and the entire Gremlins band
along with all their weirdo fans were all pointing fingers saying we threw punches. Spence and I knew
what we had to do..lie through our teeth. I said little, but Spencer very calmly told the police that they
were in a band which had been harassing us for weeks along with all their fans. I think the cop looked
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around and saw a bunch of skinny, flannel wearing Mohawked teenagers and passed judgment that they
must have been trouble makers. Even better, one of the cops recognized Bill from a graffiti incident
about two days prior in downtown Birmingham , so he ended up in the back of a cop car for 30 minutes
which made the whole fight well worth it. I realized then that although Spencer had distaste for
authority, he knew how to work it quite well.
“ Pierce…Hold my book! For some reason, probably because it was my first fight, I remember it was Book III”
Maybe too well in fact and often times I unknowingly became his accomplice during his teen
years of kleptomania. Since I was the only member with a license, I had the rather interesting experience
of chauffeuring Spencer all around the metro Detroit area. He’d walk into 7-11, tell me to wait in the car
and bolt out the door yelling “go!” I’d nag at him constantly and tell him he was going to get caught and
that I’d get in trouble too. Spencer could have cared less and his disregard for my well being often left
me feeling used. My senior year of High School I finally erupted when I found out that Spencer was
selling our Cd’s for double the price they should have been, and pocketing all the money. I pinned him
against a wall and yelled at him as he starred me straight in the eye and said absolutely nothing. I
remember telling him that his music was going to suffer and that no one would believe him if they found
out he was a thief. The next day at practice he showed me one of his new songs and commented that it
was about our argument. I remember one of the lyrics in which he described writing music as
“metaphorical soap,” and later saying “I may be a liar, but I have a tongue that works like fire.” It was
the only time he ever played the song for me and we never adopted it as a band, but I remember it having
a deep impact on my impression of Spencer. I realized that music was his manner of washing away the
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grime of everyday life. It didn’t matter what kind of trouble he raised when he wasn’t holding a guitar in
hand (although he often used a guitar case to pocket merchandise) because anything was game for
creative inspiration. It was then that I realized that perhaps the reason I believed and felt sincerity in his
songs was because he used art in a sincere way. He was a true artist, and his outlandish acts which
sometimes hurt friends were all sacrifices for a good laugh, story or song, something Spencer knew
would live far beyond his days as a 15 year old.
Of course our numerous car rides were not always illegal. More than anything they were a time
for music, lots and lots of LOUD music. I’d show him the band Tool who wrote songs based around
numbers and the Fibonacci sequence and he’d show me Brian Wilson and talk about harmony. Our
conversations rarely ventured into girls, or gossip, they were always about music, music and anything
mystical. I remember him telling me that the idea of infinity was all wrong. Infinity he said must be like
a circle, constantly repeating itself. If you could walk through the universe in a single direction,
eventually you’d end up exactly where you started. I’ve found this theme repeated in many of Spencer’s
songs and of course in his tattoo. Mystics were often a topic of conversation because I felt comfortable
talking about the unknown with him. Though I was two years older than him it felt as though I was
talking to the oldest soul on earth. Spencer was adamant and certain when it came to ideas about
spirituality; he seemed to always embrace it rather than fear it or approach it blindly. I loved our
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conversations so much that I once told him our songs should mimic them. He agreed, but there was no
room for mystics in a funk rock band and by the end of my senior year, our group started to cave in.
Spencer’s own songs were starting to reflect new and larger themes. I think to a certain degree the two
of us had grown bored with playing trivial music about relationships and pot. Towards the end of Sheer
Funk and Misery we started to create more dynamic songs which went through odd time changes and
even odder lyrics. While Spencer and I praised the new sound, I think Alex and Ryan thought it was too
different, especially for us. By June of 2003, we all decided that the days of Sheer Funk were over and
the diagnosis was obvious; Spencer had moved way beyond writing funk pop songs as a musician and I
felt the same. When I moved to Philadelphia for college and learned of Spencer’s departure to New
York I was sure he was going on to spectacular things. I visited him regularly during my four years in
Philly and watched an amazing transformation in Spencer. He was less selfish, less cocky, plus I could
walk into a store with him and not be paranoid about what may be in his pockets. I know Spencer hated
New York and we often consulted each other over the phone to talk about how the East Coast was an
absolute drag. My trips to New York were very comforting and I think to a large degree we both missed
our friends in Michigan . I could tell Spencer was growing and maturing because his music had
matured an immense amount. He had developed a lower tonal quality in his voice (probably due to
puberty), which gave his songs even more power and beauty. His lyrics were spiritual and deeper than
ever and finally he had a band to match his message. Although I spent a lot of time with Spencer he was
always a mystery to me. I never understood what motivated him in life until I heard one of his songs or
read his writings. My impression of Spencer was radically shaped by his instinctual need to document
his life through music and art. Sometimes I think people forget that art and music come with a price,
but Spencer always understood this and that’s what has stuck with me. It isn’t just born from
comfortable fingers and sheltered vocal chords. It’s made from adventurous hands and even more
importantly adventurous minds. It comes from damaged hearts and wounded egos. True art is nothing
more than the soap we use to cleanse our battered souls. Metaphorical soap that is. I believe that is the
most important thing Spencer showed me and thus my last and conclusive impression of him is really
more of a motto by which I should exist. Live life in a manner that justifies creating music in the first
place, and in the end, you might find that your music is good enough to justify your life.
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Like a turtle in his shell,
I hide from all these
earthen, airborne cares.
Weighing that scale upon itself, in a metaphoric sense
that is
This is representative of the fact
that man may only ever
comprehend himself when he
weighs himself against himself. Not against the world.
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The guitarist for Sheer Funk and Misery was a talented kid named Ryan Hagelman. Ryan’s mom,
Karen, remembered meeting Spence:
Memories of Spencer Bell from 2002-2004 – by Karen Hagelman
2/06/08
Ryan brought his new friend Spencer home from 10th grade at Lahser High School. They had discovered
each other in their first week in the hall when Ryan ran into Spencer in the hall and complimented him
on his Ren & Stimpy t-shirt. They began a conversation about their mutual interests in music. Both were
new to the school. Ryan coming from a private catholic boys prep school, and Spencer from the
prestigious Interlochen School of Arts.
I recall this darling curly topped tall teen, equal in size to Ryan, coming through the back door after
school that day. Hey mom, meet my new friend Spencer! He plays guitar to! I made them sandwiches
while I asked too many questions. They couldn’t wait to jam.
As I was putting the laundry away in the adjoining room, I heard the sweet melody of Spencer singing
what I learned to be “Big Blue Sun”. I found myself standing on the other side of the closed door
smiling and saying wow. I wanted to bust through the door and applaud. He had such a lovely voice, and
I couldn’t believe he wrote that himself. I was witnessing a pinnacle moment for these two boys that
would evolve into an interesting relationship, and the beginning of a real band, Sheer Funk and Misery.
Spencer was the missing link for three boys who had ambitions of competing in the upcoming Lahser
Talent Show. Their union was magical, as they really did interpret each others style well as it rapidly
and effortlessly evolved. Spencer was a daily wonder as his unbridled inspiration found him writing new
lyrics up and down his arms, or on any scrap of available paper. To his words the rhythm flowed. One
awesome song after the other was born through their combined talents. A record companies dream.
This was all too good not to record, and promote. Myself being newly unemployed, realized I found very
worthwhile new project, motivated and inspired by their fresh ambition, passion and raw talent. We all
learned an awful lot about music production,
performance, and each other. I think they learned the most about themselves.
My involvement, as a mother, was resented at times. I sure believed in them with all my heart, and loved
each of them, though that did become very challenging at times.
It was inevitable that they would part ways, each to explore their own path. When they were good, they
were so good, and so happy. It was a privilege as a mother and a sponsor to be in their lives for that
exciting moment in time. I wish they could have all hung on to each other for a while longer. The band
will always be in our hearts, with a tear and a smile. That complicated, talented, curly headed young, will
always be missed.
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Thanks to Karen Hagelman, this record got made.
Ryan shared his memories of being in the band with Spencer:
How to describe Spencer Bell….I guess I would have to begin with the fact that after Spencer
and I became good friends and formed SFM, we grew increasingly bitter towards each other. I am
reminded of a Daffy Duck cartoon, Duck Dodgers to be exact, in which Daffy and Marvin the Martian
are fighting over the Planet “X”. After blowing up 99% of the planet they find themselves floating on a
small patch of “X”. Guns still pointed at each other, Daffy proceeds to announce that; “This planet aint
big enough for the both of us!”. This analogy, I believe, best describes the friendship between Spencer
and I. We both realized that we weren’t that different from one another. Which, in turn, soon drew us
apart. We both wanted the same thing, simply, to express ourselves through our music. Spencer and I
where Marvin and Daffy. I had always hoped that one day Spencer and I would swallow our egos and
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Sheer Funk & Misery at the Dream Cruise - 2002
Ryan Hagelman
During our time together over the years there was only one place where we truly spoke to each
other and that was when we were playing music. We always put our differences aside onstage and
brought the Funk. I think our resentment towards each other fueled the songwriting process, making it
possible to create new songs with ease. We always had a lot we wanted to say to each other and music
was the only way we could truly engage in conversation. Spencer definitely had a huge influence on me
as a songwriter. His confidence in himself as an artist gave me the courage to create my own music and
lyrics. I wouldn’t be the musician/person I am today if it hadn’t been for Spencer and the things we
shared as both musicians and friends.
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Dream Cruise - 2002 (Alex Klein on vocals, Spencer switches to bass for Steppenwolf cover)
The bass player in Sheer Funk was Alex Klein. Alex’s dad, Peter – is a musician in his own right.
In fact, Peter’s band, DoubleScale would eventually play at the Royal Oak Music Theatre Memorial
Concert and generously allowed the Sheer Funk to practice in his home basement back then. Peter
remembers:
I remember first meeting Spencer at a Lahser High School talent show that took place his senior year.
My son Alex was playing bass at the time with Pierce Codina and Ryan Hagelman. There was not a
regular singer in their band but I know they were looking for a front man. This event turned out to be
the catalyst for Sheer Funk and Misery. I had the opportunity to see Spencer perform for the first time
at this event; his was an acoustic solo act. I thought at the time this kid was different. He seemed
beyond his years, he had a creative edge and he came off as very self-confident.
Well the rest of the story is history. The boys really were looking for a singer to round out their musical
efforts and Spencer was a great find for them. I don’t know what exactly the deal was but it seemed to
be an audition of sorts that night for both of them. I was glad to see the guys made an impact on each
other. The audience really loved both acts.
In the months that followed the talent show, SF&M would rehearse in my basement often. During the
next year or so they got increasingly better and more creative in their effort to carve out a musical style.
I would meander down in the basement, to listen and observe the jam sessions and practice.
Occasionally I would offer advice. I don’t know if it was ever really appreciated, being that I was the
bass player’s dad and several generations out of their league as far as hipness. They did have a definite
style and personality that was greatly due to this artsy and talented singer, Spencer.
Over the next couple of months I witnessed a real bonding taking place and the band kind of moved as a
group. I loved that particularly for my son Alex. I thought that this kind of bonding friendship was a
once in a lifetime experience. It was great.
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SF&M decided to record some of their work at a professional recording studio as the result of Karen
Hagelman’s prompting. I thought well, that’s cool, but I didn’t believe at the time anything amazing
was going to come of it, after all these we scrubby faced kids just learning to make music. Well I have
been wrong about some thing in my life and this was certainly one. Not only did the recording come off
as impressively tight and creative, but the Morning Hours CD was well liked by a good many friends who
knew nothing of their band project. I remember having the boys over for a band photo session at a
studio where I was shooting a commercial. These guys were into it. They posed and strutted for the
camera just like pros. I didn’t need to do much directing, they each had something in mind for their
image. I had a great time doing these portraits which eventually ended up inside their Morning Hours
CD cover.
I was even more impressed the day Spencer and the guys set up on stage at the Dream Cruise one day in
August. They were honored, thanks to Cisco Codina, who at the time was a marketing director with
Ford and in charge of the sponsored music event that day.
Spencer designed his own poster for their gig at the Dream Cruise in 2002
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SF&M was to perform on the same stage as Mitch Ryder and his band. I brought my camcorder and
recorded the entire event that sunny August morning. It was again amazing to see Spencer the lead
singer play to a sparse crowd of mostly friends and family, with all the confidence and drama of a real
rock star vocalist. You couldn’t help but fixate on the singer in SF & M because he had the juice and
the charisma beyond his years.
I can’t remember how long after this concert it was that the band eventually went separate ways. I had
heard that it was time for Spencer to follow his dream in NYC after graduation. It was going to be
impossible for the band to find his replacement. I don’t know that it ever went very far. I remember that
Alex was doing some guitar playing and lead vocals with a different mix of SF&M for a while. It really
never was quite the same and it made me a little sad. I knew however that Spencer was really on to
bigger and better things.
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I only saw Spencer one more time after he left for NYC. He came to the house with a girl friend to visit
with Alex. He looked very different to me. He had closely cropped hair and he seemed more settled. He
was extremely polite and soft spoken when he came to visit. I thought, wow Spencer has really changed.
He seemed really happy.
I will always have a clear picture of him on stage at a Woodward Dream Cruise event one sunny August
morning, wind blowing his long hair over his eyes and his voice carrying impressively over the
microphone and into our hearts.
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Bassist Alex Klein shares some insight into the “mischievous” Spencer:
My name is Alex Klein and I played bass in a band with Spencer in high school called Sheer Funk and
Misery. One of my favorite stories about Spence was from the group’s first trip to Godrich.
It was late in the summer of 2002 and the four of us planned to go up to the Whalen’s cottage in
Canada for a weekend. I volunteered to drive for the trip because I had the biggest car and I knew
where we were going. A few months before the trip a friend of mine was expelled from U of D Jesuit for
taking pot across the border to Canada for a school retreat. The kid was the school’s quarterback so the
administration made an example of him to try to scare kids away from trouble with drugs and alcohol.
My girlfriend at the time lived in Canada as well, so if we ran into any trouble at the border that would
have made my life very difficult.
I don’t think it’s a secret that Spence enjoyed “herbal supplements”, and I was absolutely paranoid
that Spence would bring pot with him for the trip. So for two weeks before we left I begged Spence not to
bring pot with him when we left, and every time he would reply, “You won’t know if I have weed with me
‘til we get there.” I figured he was just messing with me so I didn’t really do anything about it. So when
it was time to leave we all piled our stuff into my car and Spence jumped shotgun with a flashlight that
didn’t work in hand. While we were driving I again asked Spence if he brought pot with him and again
he replied, “You won’t know if I have weed with me ‘til we get there.” With the border and hour away, I
slammed on the breaks, pulled the car over, and started yelling at Spence until he finally assured me that
he didn’t bring any pot with him.
We finally arrived at the border at the Blue Water Bridge and, big surprise, the border patrol pulled
our car of four 16-year old boys over for a “random” search. Again I talked to Spence, and again he
assured me that he didn’t bring any weed with him. We pulled into the appropriate space, stepped out of
the car, and the officers began searching my car. They went through all of our bags, all of the car’s
compartments, and they picked up Spence’s flashlight from under the seat. They tried to turn the
flashlight on with no success, shook it, and then dropped back in the car and sent us on our way.
About a mile from the border Spence picked up his flashlight opened up the cap and, wouldn’t you
know it, pulled out a bag of weed. I was so pissed that I punched Spence in the arm and nearly drove off
the road in the process. I was so angry I didn’t know what to do with myself, but at the same time I kind
of expected it of him. We had so much fun on that car ride and on that trip that I got over the incident
maybe twenty minutes later. That trip is still one of my fondest memories from that period of my life,
and this story still makes me laugh even though it wasn’t very funny to me at the time.
Spence was always testing limitations, and that was the fun of hanging out with him. No matter how
angry he would make people, they would always have a few laughs afterwards and forget why they were
ever mad at him. He always had a bizarre positive energy about him that sometimes led to trouble but
always led to a good time. It’s a shame his life was cut so short, but I feel privileged to have known
Spence during his short but dynamic life.
Spence and Alex on stage at Lahser Talent night with SF&M (nice wings Alex)
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Ryan Hagelman (guitarist in Sheer Funk & Misery) has a relative (Jim Whalen) who operates a farm north
of Windsor, Ontario. Spencer was invited up on a couple of occasions and truly loved it there. He became
close in short order with both Jim and his daughter Lindsay. After Spencer passed away, Lindsay was
unable to attend the memorial service and sent the following letter to Spencer (most of the letter is
included, but not all):
To Spencer:
So the last time we hung out it was at the farm and everyone was still asleep inside. I think it was about
8 a.m. and my dad was milling about, feeding birds, watering flowers - the same things we are used to
watching papa Jim do. We were on the lawn and you had this guitar semi-permanently attached to your
fingers. So I said, “play me a song Spence….”, and you strummed out ‘Funky Desperado”. The birds
were flying just above us and you decided to write a song about them. On a piece of cardboard with a
mini-golf pencil you wrote of the most gorgeous things and sang it! I forget how it goes, but I know the
gist. Later on at the bluff when Britt & Laur sang “Shue La Rue”, you said it was euphoria - the finest
moment of your life. I’m glad I was there, Spence. So I won’t forget that, or the time me & Amber cornrowed your unwashed (for about weeks) hair and found a cricket! We found your hat when you left. It
was buried in the sand at the beach where we all chilled and you were positive that you could walk on
water. As far as I’m concerned, Spence, that’s true. We can do anything, and you did. It was silly,
chillin‘, exciting, boring, relaxing, euphoria, life. I’m glad we didn’t give your hat back, cause now I’ll
just slide it on and fall asleep on the beach. I think of you as a conquistador of some sort, Spence.
Always the conqueror, always rendering a peaceful moment. And the moment you were in wasn’t just
that anymore, it became you. I’m glad I could share that.
Lindsay Whalen
For Spencer, life wasn’t about just doing well in school - and I’m personally very happy that he had it all in
perspective at such an early age. Not that he wasn’t interested in learning - Spencer was very interested in
things that he found worthy of his time and thought. He just wasn’t interested in “template teaching”.
I mentioned that teachers who took the, ‘my way or the highway’ approach to teaching often found Spencer
focused on the highway. I’m not actually certain who ‘wins’ when that happens, but I’m pretty sure it isn’t
our educational system.
As a result of Marney Keenan’s wonderful and touching article in the DETROIT NEWS on Spencer’s
life and passing, there was a good amount of interest and awareness generated where we live and even
beyond. One of Spencer’s former Lahser High School teachers was moved to write a letter to Marney.
Dear Marney Rich Keenan,
I’m writing to thank you for your article on Spencer Bell, who was a student of mine at Lahser High
School. I was a teacher with nearly thirty years under my belt when Spencer walked into my creative
writing class, filling the doorway with his large frame, dark glasses, and trench coat (although it was late
August). From the start I was intimidated by Spencer, his semi-gothic presence, his brilliance, his, yes,
arrogance. Although my class had been deemed a worthy one by students for many years and although I
had many publishing credits, Spencer soon mad it clear that the class wasn’t working for him. It was
too structured, and he felt confined by my requirements. First, I was crushed by his criticisms, which
were echoed by some of the others in the group. Perhaps uncharacteristically, I decided to let the
students help me redesign the class so that it would make them want to write. One of the changes was
that each day one of the students would lead the class, generating a free writing that led to a writing
workshop which explored a writer, modeled that writer’s techniques, leading eventually to student
writing. This was Spencer’s doing. It was scary for me to relinquish control of my classroom, but most
days it was a class that worked in the way he envisioned it. In the few years before my retirement, I
continued to conduct my class in the “Spencer Model.”
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Spencer was not an easy young man to have in the classroom. He challenged and tested and made me
uncomfortable more than once. But his classmates adored him. Even though they recognized that he
was a giant among them, they also saw that he trusted them to do what they needed to do to be creative.
He respected their abilities and efforts, and they moved comfortably into their own voices.
I heard about his death a few weeks ago, when a member of that same creative writing class waited on
my table at a local restaurant. But until a few minutes ago, I didn’t know the whole of this
heartbreaking story. Thank you for this tribute to a remarkable young man.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Volpe
It was wonderful of Elizabeth Volpe to ‘bend’ and try something different. I’m certain that other kids
benefited from her willingness to give Spencer’s ‘way’ a try. One of those kids was David Lewis who
remembered the same incident from a student’s perspective:
"We had a senior English class with mrs volpe. She had the class set up as being really hard.
Spencer didn't like that idea so he proposed a much simpler curriculum. She took his idea and it
became the easiest class ever."
Of course David didn’t say whether or not he learned anything in Elizabeth’s class, but I’m willing to bet
she wouldn’t have compromised her class goals just to please the kids.
Possibly the only teacher Spencer ever had who had a ‘my way or the highway’ approach to her teaching
methods, but managed to get away with it was Dr. Donna Learmont. She taught (and teaches) more like a
college professor. Spencer liked the class and like ‘Doc’ a whole lot. She writes:
I have been hesitating due to the nature of the story....but what the hell....a name has been deleted to
protect the innocent....A good story is a good story regardless of whether the facts are accurate, right?
As anyone who ever met Spencer would know, he was quite appealing to the ladies. Charming,
disarming, and able to banter about witty repartee at the drop of a hat, Spencer's smile could wilt a girl
of any age. Yet, like a true gentleman, he never seemed to brag of his prowess. Still, as with greats of
any genre, his conquests were legendary. And so I came to hear the following two stories:
RUMOR HAS IT....
Because of his musical interests and talent, he spent a lot of time at Interlochen....school for the
privileged and talented. Among those also in attendance was a beautiful young girl named Rumor
Moore, daughter of Demi Moore and Bruce Willis.
Apparently, his dalliance with this lovely lass was his favorite souvenir of that particular time at
Interlochen. One boy relayed this story to another within my earshot, and the crowd grew with interest
and awe. Nobody doubted it was true and you could see the lads smirk with admiration. But the story
was barely finished when one said, "aw that's nothin....." and the second story began.
Now I must preface this tale as being unverified and therefore unreliable, however, not at all
unbelievable, and to be sure, everyone who heard it, believed it and do to this day.
Spencer had those piercing eyes. Eyes that twinkled and certainly got him into (and out of) trouble all
his born days. And they were eyes of an old soul, eyes that could make you believe he was an adult.....far
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before he was. So let it be said, that if you had never met him you couldn't understand, nor perhaps,
forgive what follows.
But as the story goes, one summer he was away at a camp and a female counselor became quite smitten
with him. He wooed her, pursued her, and eventually had his way with her. Repeatedly. It was quite
the summer romance. And when the summer ended they walked off into the sunset, safe in the knowing
that this indiscretion would remain where it started. But alas, it was not to be. As a new school year
dawned, Spencer walked into class to meet the new teacher who had just been
hired....and yes....you can guess the rest. Of course his friends wanted proof...and for this he offered up
the location and description of a certain tattoo....and then later, when questioned, she unknowingly
verified the information that Spencer knew to be true....And a legend was born.
To this day I've never told a soul this story, but I cannot look at the woman in question without thinking
of Spence.
Did I mention that Spencer could embellish a story from time to time? The trick is knowing which ones
were embellished. I’ll leave the reader to decide about Doc’s stories.
By the way, Doc Learmont volunteered her services at our Royal Oak fundraiser in September of 2007 and
had the entire event video-taped, edited and copied for us all at no cost. She had three unbelievable
volunteers in her media classes help her with the project. Not only did Patrick Kerrigan, Michael Tully and
Martin Michalek donate their time and energy at the event itself, they put together the video montage we
use at events and on the website to this day set to Spencer’s beautiful original song, “Tourist”. And
speaking of the website, Patrick and Michael built the Spencer Bell memorial website from scratch,
documented all of the Royal Oak event and made changes right up until the time that they went away to
college over a year later……….and they never even MET Spence! Unbelievable generosity.
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