Art Bell W6OBB* Collection

Art Bell W6OBB* – A Detailed Overview

Full Name: Arthur William Bell III
Born: June 17, 1945, in Jacksonville, North Carolina
Died: April 13, 2018, in Pahrump, Nevada
Profession: Radio broadcaster, author, founder of Coast to Coast AM
Ham Radio Callsign: W6OBB*
(*Formerly W6OBB)

🌌 Early Life & Career Beginnings
Art Bell grew up with a fascination for science, space, and the unknown. He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War as a medic and radio operator. His love for radio began during this time, and after returning to civilian life, he transitioned into a career in broadcasting.

In the 1970s and 80s, he worked in traditional radio—playing music and discussing politics—but eventually shifted toward fringe topics that weren't covered in mainstream media.

📻 Coast to Coast AM
In 1988, Art launched Coast to Coast AM, which would become his signature show. It started as a political talk show but gradually evolved into a platform for discussing the paranormal, conspiracies, aliens, government cover-ups, time travel, shadow people, and much more.

What made the show unique:

Late-night format: Broadcast overnight, creating a mysterious, almost dreamlike atmosphere.

Call-in format: Listeners could share their own experiences live, which gave the show a very personal and eerie vibe.

Open-minded approach: Bell rarely dismissed guests, no matter how bizarre the topic. He gave them space to speak, but also asked probing questions.

Some famous or memorable episodes include:

The "Area 51 Caller" incident (1997)

Interviews with supposed time traveler John Titor

Frequent appearances by guests like Richard C. Hoagland, Whitley Strieber, and Dr. Michio Kaku

🏜️ Life in Nevada & Personal Details
Art Bell lived in the desert town of Pahrump, Nevada, where he built a radio studio on his property. He often spoke about loving the isolation and quiet of the desert. He was married multiple times and had several children. Art remarried after his wife Ramona died also lived in and spent time in the Phiippines go back and forth often. 

He also authored a few books, including:

The Art of Talk (his autobiography) - There are two versions of this book. The physically larger earlier version and the smaller later version. It was also available in audio. 

The Coming Global Superstorm (co-written with Whitley Strieber), which partly inspired the movie The Day After Tomorrow

The Quickening, Bell outlines various technological, social, and environmental changes he believed were accelerating toward a dramatic shift in the world

The Source - Journey Through The Unexplained (co-written with Brad Steiger), A deep dive into mysterious phenomena such as UFOs, near-death experiences, crop circles, and conspiracies—offering interpretations and personal insights from two icons of the unexplained

🔄 Retirements & Returns
Bell had a habit of retiring and then returning to radio, often due to personal or health issues, or dissatisfaction with the direction of his shows after corporate changes. Despite these breaks, he always maintained a loyal fanbase.

Later in life, he launched a new show called Midnight in the Desert (2015), sticking to his roots of late-night weirdness. Later he launched a show called Art Bell's Dark Matter.

🕯️ Death & Legacy
Art Bell passed away on April 13, 2018, at age 72. The cause of death was related to multiple drug intoxication (prescription medications), but no foul play was involved.

Legacy Highlights:
He built a massive underground following and helped legitimize paranormal talk radio.
Inspired countless podcasts and shows that explore the strange and unexplained.
Even after his death, Coast to Coast AM continues, though many fans say it’s never quite been the same without him.

In Summary: Art Bell was a trailblazer who gave voice to the weird, the mysterious, and the unspeakable—especially during the darkest hours of the night. His calm, curious presence and willingness to explore the unknown left a lasting impact on pop culture, radio, and anyone who's ever stared into the night and wondered, “What if?”