END OF A GOLDEN ERA

By Sean David Morton

It seemed hard to really believe. It had happened before, and it felt a little like the boy who had cried "WOLF" once to often. There were family problems, health trouble, struggles with slanderous demons who had all been conquered and exorcised.

But as I spoke with Art's manager and Premiere Broadcasting Network executive Alan Corbeth he told me he too was retiring and taking a long vacation. That everything was in boxes, the studio was being packed up, the entire operation was being moved to PRN headquarters in Sherman Oaks, Calif. and that only Lisa Lyon would remain behind in Medford, Oregon to run the AFTER DARK newsletter. This time it was really happening:

Art Bell would be gone for good.

Art Bell remade radio in his image. His contributions to the medium have changed the face of how people view radio as not just entertainment, but as a truly alternative educational forum.

He originally came to late night talk a man alone in the night, transmitting from out of the middle of nowhere. He took the forum from Bible Belt preachers, sports, shock and schlock to something meaningful and wonderous. Presenting guests and information that you simply couldn't find anywhere else. All in a seminar style, in-depth format that fascinated and entertained. He gave us all a reason to stay up late, huddled beneath our covers in awe and wonder.

When radio was mostly right and left wing crazies, political balderdash, shock jocks and obscenity, Art had a kinder, gentler style. Usually subjects like UFOs and paranormal topics were presented just so smart ass, wise guy DeeJays could sneer, scowl and mock them, just to show their audience how witty and superior they were to all the dumb yokels that believed Chicken Little hystronics and in "Little Green Men."

For the first time on radio, somebody really listened. Not only listened, but listened in a fair and intelligent manner, that allowed stories of wonder to unfold without derision or judgement. Art may not have always approved or believed, but he gave his guests the respect due to someone that DID believe. Art's motto of simply "presenting the information" was novel and unique. His power lay in getting out of the way and letting the teller of the tale take us where they may.

Some blame Art for frightening people unnecessarily. That he gave too much credence and recognition to people that didn�t deserve it, and that Art was not critical enough when he should have been. But you have to take the good with the bad, and Art left it to the native intelligence of his audience to decide. After all, in the final analysis, it is all meant as entertainment. At the end of the day, it is only radio.

But everyone in the metaphysical community throughout the world owes Art Bell a debt of gratitude. He showed the "Powers That Be" that there was an audience out there that was ready for the new paradigm. He gave us all a point of focus, a light in the darkness, and lent us all his credibility, with his deep, resonant, silky smooth voice, warm gentle laugh, and pristine professionalism behind that microphone.

This newsletter would not exist without him. My predictions, thoughts, visions and dreams would never have been able to reach the sheer numbers of people they have without his recognition and support. He gave me a forum to show the world what I could do, and no matter what becomes of my life in the future, I will never forget our magical time on the air together, or those moments in the spotlight that he provided me.

And who is to say that his broadcasts didn't change the fate of our world? A prediction made AND LISTENED TO is a catastrophe averted. I truly believe that all those souls listening in the night, focusing their energy, praying for a better world before they slept, has made all the difference between where we are today... and the dark, dire world we MIGHT have seen.

NOBODY deserves the accolades for all that Art Bell has done and accomplished more than he does. And nobody deserves LESS the way that he has been treated by unscrupulous, underhanded and cowardly persons over the last few years. The confused, garbled and heinous accusations made against him. The lies that were picked up and run with by others in the radio world, just because everybody tries to pull you down when you're on top. And Art not being able to fight back because first and foremost, he wanted to protect his only son from harm, and secondly, because it just wasn't his way.

But he weathered it all with grace and aplomb. Taking the high road every time. It seems ironic that it took a freak accident and injury to his back to pull him down, when none of the slings and arrows hurled at him from the shadows by his enemies or competitors could.

The Art Bell I got to know was always generous, warm, courteous and kind. A truly shy man, uncomfortable with all the attention heaped upon him. Torn between the love of his privacy and the love of radio and his audience.

Art my friend, there will be a tremendous void when you go at the end of 2002. 2003 will the year that will change humanity and history forever, and the prospect of facing it without you there to help and guide us in the night is a daunting thought indeed. No one will EVER be able to fill your shoes. Anyone who comes afterwards will be standing soundly astride your giant shoulders. We can only hope that certain radio executives will know enough to keep the format alive, and all the best of luck to George Noory.

You are loved. You will be missed. You have truly changed our fate, our destiny and the world we live in....all with style, a smile, and your own humble grace.

Thank you again for all that you have done for me. Your support has meant alot and has changed my life.

Be healthy and well. Feel the sun. Get up early in the morning. Enjoy the retirement, down time and happiness that you have so richly earned. May the Creator send His mighty angels to surround and bless you always, and may all of us never forget that we walk down the path you paved for us.