It was that sentence which led me into the vortex of love, inspiration, and talent that is known as Spencer Bell.
A young man taken from this world,far far too soon because of Adrenal Cancer.
Never would I have imagined he would affect my life in such a huge way, never would I have guessed he would save me on more than one occasion, and pull me from the dark back into the light. Yet, he did just that.
I may have found Spencer courtesy of Jackson Rathbone, but he touched my heart on his own accord. My passion for his Legacy burns and is fueled by the emotions he himself evokes, and for no other reason.
Because of Spencer I have changed. Because of him I have been inspired, hopefully inspired others. I have been introduced to new music and bands that I knew nothing of before, I have made friends that I know will last a lifetime. Because of Spencer, I have remembered not to take life for granted, it’s something that we all tend to forget on occasion.
Before Spencer there were many things I thought I believed in, but he has helped me to reinforce those through his words alone.
No, I did not know him in life, and that used to sadden me. Now I just consider myself blessed to know any part of him at all. Seeing him through the eyes of his family and friends, those that did know him, it’s something I treasure, hold very dear to my heart.
I cannot thank them enough for sharing him with the world.
I wrote a poem for Spencer quite some time ago, and it rings so true, I’ll share it again. From one poet to another, it is a piece of my soul, where only he resides.
BEHOLDER
Never ceasing to give a view of this world that only you could see, for
it was your canvas,to destroy or beautify, by your hand as you saw fit.
You chose the latter.
You were the sole creator.
You alone, were your pilot, but your destination was never as important as your journey.
Sketching the world in black and white with your words, painting it vibrant colors with your passion for life.
Signing your name to your masterpiece, in brilliant light, so that no matter where anyone went, they could always see that beacon. They could always know that home, is within the heart,the spirit, the soul, not within the confines of four walls, or even, ones physical body.
Now that I’ve said some of my piece, I wanted to share what others have said to me about him. I asked people to help me, so that you weren’t just simply reading my clumsy words.
Taylor Blue: I learned about Spencer through Willow. She had a passion in talking about him. She had made her so happy that I knew I had to go check him out. I went to the memorial site and really dug in to everything there. And what I found out was amazing. His music, his words, and his art. Spencer had an amazing heart. He has changed me in so many ways, giving me hope through my dark days and making me laugh when I hear a silly song by him. I’m so glad that he’s able to live on through us all by talking about him. Willow sent me a Spencer Bell bracelet months and months ago. It has never left my wrist since that day. So whenever I play with it or look at it I think of him and smile.
- Ally/ @electriclife:Admittedly, I only even know about Spencer and his music because of 100 Monkeys and their involvement in the legacy shows. I’m a huge fan of the Monkeys, and out of curiosity over what the shows were all about lead me to google, which lead me to the memorial site. I read a little bit and listened, then left it at that for awhile. A couple months later, I bought Feudal Brutal off of iTunes in another round of curiosity and was kicking myself for not really listening sooner. It’s rare that you find a voice as pure and genuine as Spencer’s. With most music these days, everything is so polished, over produced, and listening to Spencer gets me back to the reason I love music: the raw emotion behind the words and the guitar chords. I like music that can take you somewhere else, remove you from your setting but still make you feel at home. Spencer’s music does that for me. I didn’t have the pleasure of knowing the guy, but I’ll always cherish just being exposed to his music and his talent.
Angie: Contrary to some curious Marmosets, Spencer didn’t felt he had to sneak into life.
My thirst for music was all he needed to know where to strike. One word, and my entire life was shaken.
Was it in the way he soothed my worst fear away?
Was it in the way he showed me I wasn’t the only one of my kind?
Was it in the way he reminded me of myself, in his doubts and beliefs?
I don’t know. One thing is sure though.
Now I know I’m not alone.
And I will never be alone anymore.
Spencer will always be inside my heart.
The emptiness I had inside was made just for him.
I’ve started writing and drawing personal art. Though, Spence’ isn’t the only one to blame for that. He had a faithful help for this. Cause, to shake me out of my numbness, it needed so much strength. First, his friend, Jackson taught me how to cry again. All those months, trying to be stronger, and tougher, cause I thought it was the only way to survive, crushing my feelings and creativity in the mold of what is acceptable for our world. Biting your tongue until the metallic taste blood seems to be your own saliva.
And it was the mix of Spencer and Jay, in the masterpiece “Made Of Gold” who finally made me cry, like a torn mother, like a scared baby.
Thank you Jay. But i guess you’ll get it if I say: I wish so fuckin’ hard you didn’t write this song.
Hope i’l lfinally get the chance and the guts to tell you that for real!
I remember the first time I heard it. A beautiful voice, singing on a simple guitar.
Beth was the first song I heard. I laughed so hard .
And when Reading ” It wouldn’t be so bad”, I felt stalked.
But with music, he gave me peace and this state of Zen, I had tried to reach via aikido.
And never succeeded.
“I have faith [..].that all I need,[...] is just music”
But what Spencer did was not just give me inspiration.
He gave me the friend who’s now the only person to know me completely, honestly.
Every little eclectic side of me. I’m a jigsaw of pieces, not supposed to fit together but somehow, it clicks and makes me. I’m not whole, but I don’t care anymore.
Each hole inside, is a little place for another soul
Spencer didn’t change me, he didn’t save me .
He just showed me it i was okay to be me.
Spencer allowed to meet some of his friends.
And i discovered warmth, for the first time, I discovered I wasn’t a freaky weirdo, some monstrous alien who didn’t belong. Meeting Spencer, and Willow, and Ben, was like finding my way back to old friends.
One look, one shared thought, and they got it perfectly.
Cut from the same cloth and so different.
Even my mother noticed, that I am calmer, more peaceful, not quieter, god never ever!
But it’s all about music. So forever, your voice will ring my head.
I LOVE YOU SPENCER BELL, and I promise to stay true and LOUD in that!!!!
Jessica Ridgway: I was unknowingly brought into the world of Spencer on February 7th 2009. I was invited to the Legacy show by a friend but had no idea of what I was actually going to. All I knew was that i was going to see the band of that guy from Twilight. (yea I know… I was one of “those”…lol) but when I got there that all changed. I watched the Tribute video and hear some stories about Spencer and what an amazing guy he was and it was just one of those things you don’t just forget about when you leave. One of those things that sticks with you. Spencer was a genius when it came to music and poetry, and from what i’ve heard he was just an all around amazing guy. Learning about Spencer has changed my life in a way that i never knew was possible. I never met him but just knowing of him i learned not to take life for granted, and don’t sit around and wait for life to come to you. If you want something go out and get it, because sometimes you don’t get a second chance. Because of Spencer i went back to school. I had set up a meeting for February 9th at Specs Howard to go and check out the campus and see if maybe that was something i was interested in doing. I had no intention of signing up at that meeting or making any kind of commitment, because I “had time” to do it. I had my whole life ahead of me to do as i wanted. WRONG! Spencer’s story taught me that tomorrow is not promised and i can’t live like it is. So I went to the show on the 7th rocked out a day of amazing music and met a ton of great people! Sunday passed and I was all ready for my meeting Monday. I went in learned about the school, got a tour, and then we sat down for the financial part. The entire time I was there I had Spencer in the back of my mind, like he was pushing me to just go for it. So I did, I was handed an opportunity to follow a dream and I jumped in head first. I was enrolled into a class that started that day and I never looked back. It was probably the best decision i have ever made in my life and i am thankful to Spencer for just being Spencer and to everyone there on February 7th 2009 for keeping his legacy alive for people like me to learn about and continue to spread the word.
These are their raw words, that they so willingly opened up their heart to share with me, with each of you, about Spencer Bell. He hasn’t been, nor will he ever be forgotten.
There isn’t a day that goes by, where he isn’t contained in at least one thought for me, and I know that is multiplied by dozens for each of you who knew him, and loved him, who always will.
If you don’t know who Spencer is, then please I ask of you to do yourself a favor and visit THE MUSIC LIVES ON;THE SPENCER BELL LEGACY. You have nothing to lose, knowledge, inspiration, and awareness to gain. Share that with your friends and family, have them do the same!
This is important, it’s an outreach of love.
If you have time to check your email, or forward those lovely chain letters I seem to get so many of these days, then take five minutes to do something worthwhile with your time.
Besides who doesn’t need inspiration, or want new music? That’s what I thought. 
My friend Jenn recommends his song “Big Blue Sun”, it’s amazing.
WE LOVE YOU SPENCER BELL!!
