Glen Bell Jr., an entrepreneur best known as the founder of the Taco Bell chain, died Sunday at age 86 at his home in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. He was 86.
No cause of death was given.
Bell launched his first restaurant, called Bell’s Drive-In, in 1948 in San Bernardino, Calif., after seeing the success of McDonald’s. His restaurant sought to take advantage of Southern California’s car culture by serving hamburgers and hot dogs through drive-in windows.
The World War II veteran next helped establish Taco Tias in Los Angeles, El Tacos in the Long Beach area, and Der Wienerschnitzel, a national hot dog chain.
Bell launched Taco Bell in 1962 in Downey after cutting ties with his business partners and quickly expanding around Los Angeles. He sold the first Taco Bell franchise in 1964.
Carl Smith, a country music hitmaker of the 1950s and 1960s known for his dynamic voice and good looks, died Saturday at age 82 in Franklin, Tenn.
Smith had 41 chart singles during the 1950s, including the hits “Are You Teasing Me,” “Back Up Buddy” and “Hey Joe!”
He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2003.
Smith was a member of the Grand Ole Opry but left in 1956 to try his hand at acting. He appeared in two westerns, “The Badge of Marshal Brennan” and “Buffalo Gun.”
From 1964 to 1969, he hosted 190 episodes of “Carl Smith’s Country Music Hall” on Canadian television.
Smith, the father of country artist Carlene Carter, married fellow singer Goldie Hill in 1957. She died in 2005.
Associated Press
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
