Rex ‘Wrecks’ Bell Cause of Death: Texas Music Legend Dies at 81

Rex “Wrecks” Bell, the Texas music legend and founder of the iconic Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe in Galveston, has died at the age of 81. His death was confirmed on Saturday, November 1, 2025, by the venue he created and inspired generations of artists through. The cause of death has not been made public at this time.

The Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe shared the news of Bell’s passing on social media, sparking an outpouring of tributes from musicians and fans across Texas. The post described Bell as a mentor and visionary who “helped change the course of many people’s lives.”

Rex ‘Wrecks’ Bell’s Legacy and Career

Born in Dallas and raised in Texas City, Rex Bell began his journey in music after serving in the U.S. Navy. In the mid-1960s, he co-founded the original Old Quarter club in Houston with a friend, turning it into a haven for live folk, blues, and country music. The venue’s name came from a sign already attached to the building—keeping it saved Bell $50, he once joked in a 2016 interview with the Houston Chronicle.

Fourteen years later, the Houston location closed, but Bell’s passion for music and community never faded. In 1996, he opened the Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe in Galveston’s Strand Historic District, which quickly became a cornerstone of the local music scene. The venue attracted major names like Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, Eric Taylor, and Lightnin’ Hopkins, offering them an intimate stage where “lyrics still counted.”

Bell’s connection with Townes Van Zandt was particularly special. The two were friends and bandmates, and Van Zandt even immortalized Bell in the song “Rex’s Blues” from his 1977 album “Live at the Old Quarter.” That recording remains one of the most cherished live albums in Texas music history.

After more than two decades of running the Galveston venue, Bell retired and sold the cafe due to health concerns. His wife, Janet Bell, stood by his side through every chapter of his musical journey, and she survives him today.

Reactions and Impact Across the Texas Music Scene

News of Bell’s passing has been met with heartfelt reactions from Texas musicians and fans. The Old Quarter was more than just a venue—it was a family, a safe space for singer-songwriters to share stories and for audiences to listen deeply. Many local artists have described Bell as “the soul of Texas songwriting.”

His influence went far beyond the stage. Bell embodied the independent spirit of Texas music, emphasizing the power of storytelling and authenticity over commercial success. His venues helped launch countless careers and shaped the identity of modern Americana and folk music in the region.

In the coming weeks, memorial events and tribute concerts are expected to be held at the Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe and other Texas venues. For those who knew him, Bell’s legacy will live on through every song performed in the intimate, lyric-driven spaces he championed.

Rex “Wrecks” Bell’s cause of death remains undisclosed, but his influence on Texas music is eternal. His life’s work stands as a testament to authenticity, community, and love for the art of song.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: What was Rex ‘Wrecks’ Bell’s cause of death?

The cause of death has not been publicly disclosed. Reports confirm only that Bell passed away peacefully at age 81.

Q2: When did Rex Bell die?

Rex Bell’s death was confirmed on November 1, 2025, by the Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe in Galveston.

Q3: What is Rex Bell known for?

Bell was the founder of the Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe in Galveston and a major figure in Texas’s folk and blues scene, known for mentoring artists like Townes Van Zandt.

Q4: Who survives Rex Bell?

He is survived by his wife, Janet Bell, and by countless artists and fans who considered him family.

Q5: What was the Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe’s legacy?

The Old Quarter became a hub for lyric-centered performances and a symbol of Texas’s authentic, grassroots music culture.