| Author | Message | ||
  GO_GET_GONE_GIRL (gogogirl) 5-Doyen Username: gogogirl Post Number: 301 Registered: 5-2004 Posted From: 69.1.9.65 |
All, What about Mr. Benny Benjamin? Otis wrote in his book that at one time and when Benny beat on those drums - he performed the task of three drummers total. Is that a true statement - and does anyone know just how good he was? I have been intrigued about him since I learned about him and his death. RIP - Benny Ben(jamin'). http://hometown.aol.co.uk/john osoul/myhomepage/school.html (Message edited by gogogirl on August 19, 2004) | ||
Lady Mystique (ladymystique) 6-Zenith Username: ladymystique Post Number: 621 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 66.33.227.92 |
GoGo...just listen to ANY of the early Motown singles and his timing was impeccable! It is a shame that he went so quick and so young. And from what I have read about him, brotha was bad and also innovative...check out the rhuma beat on I'LL TRY SOMETHING NEW by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles. It is like you could always tell when he was on the record because to me his style was distinctive. Gotta give props to Benny! | ||
Jim G (jim_g) 2-Debutant Username: jim_g Post Number: 24 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 64.12.116.138 |
William "Benny" Benjamin was in a trio with Roland Hanna and Ray McKinney at Chic's show bar around 1955. Ray, who was pretty picky about drummers, really liked playing with Benny. To paraphrase his comments, "Every lick he hit, it was like it was the greatest thing he'd ever played. Hell of a drummer." Interesting fact: after Benny passed, it took two drummers to replace him... | ||
Jim G (jim_g) 2-Debutant Username: jim_g Post Number: 25 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 64.12.116.138 |
Oh, forgot to add that Ray remembers Berry Gordy coming in to Chic's. Could this be where Gordy and Benny met??? | ||
Lady Mystique (ladymystique) 6-Zenith Username: ladymystique Post Number: 625 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 66.33.227.92 |
I thought Berry first saw Benny at the 20 Grand playing at a jazz gig? | ||
GO_GET_GONE_GIRL (gogogirl) 5-Doyen Username: gogogirl Post Number: 302 Registered: 5-2004 Posted From: 69.1.9.65 |
All, Hey Lady M.. Glad you were up on Mr. Benny too. Great review. Jim G - my bad - and you are right. I remember now that Otis did tell it the way you did. LOL - where did I get three drummers? See how one can embellish a story sometimes even if one (me) wasn't there. LOL! Again my strange bad. Thanks Jim. I'll holler back tomorrow. My daughter usually gets on the Net around ninish. LOL! Nite. (Message edited by gogogirl on August 19, 2004) | ||
GO_GET_GONE_GIRL (gogogirl) 5-Doyen Username: gogogirl Post Number: 303 Registered: 5-2004 Posted From: 69.1.9.65 |
All, One last point. THE DRUM. The Drums used to be a way of communication for my ancestors. I love that instrument more than any other. Many a tale has been told thru the drum - and the same can be said for other instruments. But the Drum - rules them all - and in my book. "http://home.acceleration.net/c lark/papervu/Rossiter.htm | ||
Chi Drummer (chidrummer) 4-Laureate Username: chidrummer Post Number: 122 Registered: 5-2004 Posted From: 24.15.230.2 |
Go Go, I've heard that line spoken about Benny Benjamin for many years and I'm still not quite sure what they're talking about. The only thing that makes sense to me is that statement speaks to how versatile a player Benny was. I can only base my opinion on the recorded works I've heard Benny play. From those records I hear a drummer who's was well aquainted with jazz, blues and gospel music. Benny could (as the old jazzmen used to say)swing you into bad health. He also had a great command of his shuffle and was good at cut-time. It wasn't that Benny was actually playing parts that would take three drummers to play, (Motown didn't start doing that until later in the '60's) but that he was good enough as a musician to convincingly play several different styles of drumming. To use a baseball analogy, Benny was that rare utility player who could play equally well at 1st base, the outfield and was a switch hitter. If you lose him you might need two or three guys to cover what that one player could do for the team. I hope that makes some sense in answer to your question. I'm sure there are others on the Forum who actually saw the man play and could tell you more about him. an almost wise man once said: There's nothing you can do that can't be done. | ||
drums (drums) 2-Debutant Username: drums Post Number: 18 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 148.177.1.212 |
Hi all, I am a Benny Benjamin fan as well! I grew up in Detroit and would visit Hitsville constantly as a teen due to my Uncle knowing the Gordy family. I had no idea of who he was, but I could feel the beat of his drums every time you would put some Motown on in my mom's house. Anyway, two questions that are on my mind: 1. They dont have Benny's signature on the wall at the Rock Hall of fame. Doesnt anyone have any written signatures from Benny? 2. I recently listened closely to the drumming on "Dancing in the Street". Does anyone know if that is Benny playing? D | ||
Gary (gary) 4-Laureate Username: gary Post Number: 128 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 66.73.238.5 |
Chi Drummer...What's up? I'm a drummer too, althugh not on your level...I'm not a pro, but I've been playing for a long time. Anyway, when I first began drumming at agw 11, the VERY first drummer I tried to emulate was Benny. Many musicians, especially drummers, seem to condider his style as being "busy", and that's probably somewhat true. A drummer can't get much busier than Benny does in "Uptight" by Stevie. That cut is defintely over the top, but check out "This Old Heart of Mine" "Walk Away Renee" "Get Ready" "Girl Why You Wanna Make Me Blue" "Too Many Fish In The Sea" "Fading Away", "Ain't to Proud to Beg". "Say You" by the Tempts just might be Benny at his very best. Whether his style was busy or not, this cat was bad. As far his ability to play a shuffle, I had heard it said that Benny's one true weakness as a drummer was his inabilty to play a clean, consistent shuffle beat. That's why Pistol Allen was used on the Tempt's "Beauty's Only Skin Deep", because Pistol played a better shuffle. The drum track is always the first part of any song I listen to. I love talking about drummers. Aside from the Funk Bros. drummers, I can't get enough Al Jackson Jr., Earl Young, Bernard Purdie, Jabo Starks, Omar Hakin, etc. etc. etc. | ||
Randy Russi (randy_russi) 4-Laureate Username: randy_russi Post Number: 146 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 169.139.180.100 |
Benny also went on the road with the Motortown Revue..."live" recording of Mary Wells' BYE BYE BABY on her "live" lp as well as The Motortown Revue Vol. 1, she introduces Benny to the audience. Didn't he pass away in 1969? I understand he had a terrible drug/alcohol problem. | ||
Gary (gary) 4-Laureate Username: gary Post Number: 129 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 66.73.238.5 |
Randy...Unfortunately, yes Benny did have his share of demons in the form of drugs and alchohol. I never knew him personally, but I've spoken to many people who knew him well and they all say what a character he was and how well respected his talent was around Hitsville. Apparently, his substance abuse didn't seem to effect his playing in any significant way. It was only after the years of drugs and alcohol caused him to become so ill in his last couple of years that his talent really suffered. BTW, yes he did pass away in 1969, I've heard stroke, heart attack, liver failure, and pneumonia all given by various sources as his cause of death. He was fairly young when he died...late 30s or early 40s depending on who you ask. | ||
Chi Drummer (chidrummer) 4-Laureate Username: chidrummer Post Number: 123 Registered: 5-2004 Posted From: 67.175.80.185 |
Hey Gary, Always good to have another drummer in the house. Trying to figure out who played what on Motown's early hits has become somewhat of a on going game. Zoro's by far the best at it and he's actually talked shop quite a bit with Uriel and Pistol before he died. I would probably argue about Benny having a "bad" shuffle. Just listen to My Guy. Pistol was actually brought to Motown by Benny himself, if I'm not mistaken. Pistol's shuffle is a bit more bluesy and the feel is great. Uptight is actually Pistol's tune and Ain't Too Proud to Beg belongs to Uriel. As near as we can all tell (I'll defer to anybody who was actually at the sessions) you are correct about the other tracks. One of the ways to tell who's who comes from the fills they used. If you want to see what I mean I'll give it to you in another post (I'll have to fire up the scanner). Lastly, check out some of the multiple drummer tracks like Cloud Nine, Marvin's ...Grapevine or War. | ||
Randy Russi (randy_russi) 4-Laureate Username: randy_russi Post Number: 147 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 169.139.180.100 |
Thanks, Gary. I didn't know him either, but do recall he toured with Mary. Although she liked him, she reported back to Hitsville problems on the road with him; again, those personal demons. | ||
Chi Drummer (chidrummer) 4-Laureate Username: chidrummer Post Number: 125 Registered: 5-2004 Posted From: 67.175.80.185 |
Drums, Yes Dancing in the Street is definitely a Benny track. | ||
GO_GET_GONE_GIRL (gogogirl) 5-Doyen Username: gogogirl Post Number: 304 Registered: 5-2004 Posted From: 69.1.9.65 |
Good Morning All, Thanks you all for your interesting input. I love it. Check out Benny on "Going To A Go-Go", and especially the opening beat. My God! http://www.rockhall.com/hof/in ductee.asp?id=2027 Sue Whitall article. http://www.detnews.com/2002/ob ituaries/0207/09/a01-527789.ht m | ||
Gary (gary) 4-Laureate Username: gary Post Number: 130 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 66.73.238.5 |
Chi Drummer...you're right, Benny did bring Pistol to Motown. I read that bit about Benny's shuffle in at least two Motown histories; I think Don Waller's book and possibly SISTOM, can't remember offhand. Wasn't Andrew Smith used for the drum doubling/second drummer's chair work on much of the multiple drummer Motown stuff? I know he was used extensively in much of the early 70s Motown material, I think his ability to stay "in the pocket" for an entire track was the best of all the Motown drummers. Pistol Allen does a great demonstration of the different fill techniques used by Benny, Uriel and Pistol in the SITSOM movie. Drums...If "Dancin' in the Street" isn't Benny, it's definitely somebody who has his style down cold. Another "who was it" question. Does anyone know who the drummer is on "My Mistake" by Marvin and Diana? Whoever he is, that is some TIGHT drum work. | ||
Gary (gary) 4-Laureate Username: gary Post Number: 131 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 66.73.238.5 |
I notice that the tunes mentioned in Pistol's obit article: "Baby Love", "Heatwave" and "How Sweet It Is" all feature shuffle beats. | ||
Jim G (jim_g) 2-Debutant Username: jim_g Post Number: 26 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 152.163.252.200 |
William Benjamin died April 20, 1969, of "chronic heart disease". He was born July 15, 1925 in Mobile, Alabama (according to his death certificate), which would make him 43 when he died. | ||
Gary (gary) 4-Laureate Username: gary Post Number: 132 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 66.73.238.5 |
Thanks for clearing that up, Jim. I've always wondered exactly how old Benny was when he died. I find it interesting that he was born in Mobile, because I've seen his place of birth given as Louisiana and the West Indies, again in less-than-reliable sources. I'll defer to his birth certificate as valid proof. | ||
Jim G (jim_g) 2-Debutant Username: jim_g Post Number: 27 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 152.163.252.200 |
Gary, I saw his union application, the info came from Benny. Haven't seen his birth cert. | ||
Gary (gary) 4-Laureate Username: gary Post Number: 133 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 66.73.238.5 |
That's what I meant to say..death certificate, not birth certificate. Thanks again. | ||
Chi Drummer (chidrummer) 4-Laureate Username: chidrummer Post Number: 126 Registered: 5-2004 Posted From: 68.78.39.218 |
Yeah, looks like Smith came along during the "psychodelic" era and worked on many tracks from that point forward. Does anyone out there have reliable info about the drummers on the LA tracks (J-5, Brenda Holloway,etc.)? | ||
Don (don) 6-Zenith Username: don Post Number: 644 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.75.189.84 |
Jim & Gary, I heard once that Benny was Cubian? Don Chgo | ||
drums (drums) 2-Debutant Username: drums Post Number: 19 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 148.177.1.212 |
(suppressing a snicker from the word "Cubian"  ) Thanks for the info on Dancin in the Streets. I listened to it in 5.1 Surround and didnt really catch all of the drum pick ups until recently! What a master drummer! But back to the second question. Does Benny have children or any family members? It is a mystery, that no one talks about them! And how did he end up in Detroit if he was playing with so many jazz artists? It seems that Harlem would have been the place for him to end up?! (I am glad that he choose Motown though ) Any thoughts on his lineage and why his signature isnt up with the rest at the Rock Hall of Fame and I will be at peace with this mystery. D PS. If this is prying please let me know and I will leave it alone! | ||
Gary (gary) 4-Laureate Username: gary Post Number: 134 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 66.73.238.3 |
Drums...regarding Benny's family, I'm aware of at least one marraige, but I don't know of any children or siblings. It would be interesting to find out if there are any of his descendents out there. | ||
Lynn Bruce (lynn_bruce) 3-Pundit Username: lynn_bruce Post Number: 56 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.41.107.18 |
When I think of great drummers,I think of Buddy Rich,Philly Jo Jones,Louis Bellson,Joe Morello,and most traditional African drummers. The Motown drummers were exellent drummers but doing a driving shuffle with nice fills??? On Uptight with it's great 4\4 beat and nice fills??? Tasty comes to mind,but not great.How can you judge if a drummers great if all you hear of him is him playing the driving beat on Motown songs? I'm not trying to disrespect them as I've heard nothing but good comments about their work. As a drunner that played profesionaly for almost forty years,I can say that I admired them and copied their beats on many a gig. It's just that playing background on the Motown somgs it's hard to judge how good they might have been if someone would have let them really cut loose on a"recorded" drum solo in a big driving band!(Like the Funks could have been if Berry would have let them go on the road) As I said,I'm not disrespecting them as I think they were top drummers.It's just hard for me to put them on the level as the drummers I mentioned. | ||
Jim G (jim_g) 2-Debutant Username: jim_g Post Number: 28 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 64.12.116.138 |
Lynn, You bring up a very good point: How to determine creativity, or originality, on the basis of backgrounds on pop records, influential and beautiful as those recordings may be? Uriel, Benny and Pistol earned respect for their jazz chops decades before Motown. As Ray McKinney told me (quoted 'up the thread'), Benny was a hell of a jazz drummer - creative, driving, original. He also worked, and recorded, with Todd Rhodes. Uriel, too, was a jazz guy, and in addition he worked with TJ Fowler's R&B band. Pistol was the same; he had that spark, drive, originality. If these drummers did nothing other than Motown, would we consider them 'great drummers'? Or, put another way, would Motown records be as 'great' and revered if musicians other than Pistol, Benny and Uriel sat in the chairs? How important was their jazz background to what they did at Motown? Sorry if I've dug in too deep, I get carried away with music history sometimes... Gary, 'Lillian' was listed as Benny's wife in 1969. No children were listed, but there may well be some. If you are really serious about finding out, I'd suggest James Jamerson's widow - or Pistol's - as possible sources. Lillian may still be with us, too. I have (somewhere) Benny's signature, I'll look for it in about six weeks or so and will post it. | ||
Lynn Bruce (lynn_bruce) 3-Pundit Username: lynn_bruce Post Number: 57 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.41.107.18 |
Jim,I could listen to you talk music history all night!! What you shared about their music background says much about how good they were. I think my big regret is that I never got to see them play in the jazz clubs of Detroit when they were in their prime. In 1960 the group I was with had a session at bell sound in N.Y..When we were driving to our hotel, we passed Birdland.There was a sign saying that Gene Krupa was playing there.I wanted to see him badly.A living legend for drummers.I went there that night and found out that the night before was his last night.My heart sunk.I had a snare head with visions of his autograph on it hanging on my wall. Well,they said that Buddy Rich was playing that night and after talking with the doorman,and being a young drummer.he escorted me down to the stage for a great seat. What I saw Buddy Rich do with two sticks and one bass drum pedel that night was just mind-blowing.I have never seen anything like that since as far as drumming goes. He was beyond good or even excellent.He was something that froze me to my seat.He was playing a fast drum solo with one hand and the left hung down by his side.I could hear this counter beat coming across the pa system,but I couldn't see any other drummer on the stage. On his break I introduced myself to him and told him that as a drummer I was in awe of him after hearing him play and that tomorrow I planned on looking for a day job.lol I asked him how he got that counter beat going over the p.a.with no other drummer up there. (These were the days when what you saw being played WAS being played on that stage} Buddy said that the drum throne he sat on had a mike inside hooked up to the house p.a.. So when his arm was hanging do by his side resting,his hand was really wailing away on the throne. Simple but efective. I was so in awe of his playing that I forgot to have him sign my drum head that I had brought in for Gene Krupa! | ||
Jim G (jim_g) 2-Debutant Username: jim_g Post Number: 29 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 64.12.116.138 |
That's a great story, man! Meeting a hero! I know exactly how you felt, too... | ||
isaiah imani (isaiah) 3-Pundit Username: isaiah Post Number: 56 Registered: 8-2004 Posted From: 205.188.116.138 |
GOGOGIRL, you are fierce to your 'bama bones!!!(smile!) I love that webpage you presented, but then you knew I would, didn'tcha(smile!) Great thread by some of SDF's more emminently-readable posters... Keep up the yeoman's work, all!!!(smile!) William "Benny" Benjamin is R&B's answer to the great Elvin Jones, always keepin' it movin'... That's my take on him... However, Al Jackson, another Jazz drummer who played in his father's big band orchestra at age 5, is right there with Benny as among the greatest R&B drummers of all time... A not so humble opinion(smile!) Peace! Zeke | ||
Gary (gary) 4-Laureate Username: gary Post Number: 136 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 172.162.57.189 |
What's up Isaiah? You said it right concerning Al Jackson, Jr., that cat was out cold. His work is incredible for me to listen to, even after hearing it for all these years. He was definitely not flashy, but he had one of the best senses of timing and rhythm I've ever heard. If any young drummers want to know the meaning of "staying in the pocket", they only need to check out "Tramp" by Otis and Carla for a perfect example. He was also one of the most technically sound drummers in R&B. | ||
Bradburger (bradburger) 1-Arriviste Username: bradburger Post Number: 6 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 172.191.254.242 |
First up great to see another thread on one of the worlds greatest drummers. Now for some corrections. Firstly, it's a common myth that they had to use two drummers after Benny's death. Not true! Motown had been using the two drummer formula years before and some even included the man him self! For instance, take a listen to Marvin & Tammi's version of ANMHE. Two Drummers - Benny and Uriel. If you listen to the Tammi Solo version recorded in late 66, you can hear Benny in all his glory. Now as for who played on some of the songs mentioned, well Benny was the dude who played on Uptight and not Pistol. Also it was Benny on ATPTB and not Uriel as is often credited. However it was Mr Jones who did the honours on the Temps "Fading Away". Also check out his performance on "It's Growing". As for the Drummer on DITS well, this has been discussed before and I believe that it was a chap called Fredrick Waites who did the honours on that session. Anyway, it's good to know just how much the Hitsville drummers are appreciated and have influced Drummers all around the world. Cheers Paul | ||
johneflat (johneflat) 4-Laureate Username: johneflat Post Number: 129 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 149.174.164.24 |
Lynn:I would add to your list:Gene Krupa and Sammy Davis jr. (yeah, he was a drummer). The first Motown drummer to really grab my attention was "Spider" Webb on the live version of "FINGERTIPS". It's funny now but as a kid, I thought there was only one Motown band, snd the same people played on everything, anybody else think that? | ||
isaiah imani (isaiah) 3-Pundit Username: isaiah Post Number: 60 Registered: 8-2004 Posted From: 152.163.252.200 |
Hey, Gary, and what's up, Lynn!(smile!) Nice posts from the both of you, all up and down the page... I love the R&B drummers, the Pistols, Benny Benjamin's, Uriels, Al Jackson, and Earl Young, but I have to admit that when you start to bringing Jazz drummers into the mix, the comparisons stop... I'm an Elvin, Blakey, Max Roach, Roy Haynes guy, myself, but strangely enough, I have always tried to listen to Eddie Bongo through the mist of drum kits on Motown records... Also, master Henry Gibson's work with Curtis Mayfield is the ultimate when it comes to R&B... Lynn, you're right, what those African drummers do with hand drums is beyond amazing, and I've always just dug the variety of sounds you get from Afro Cuban and African drums... If anyone gets a chance to listen to Olatunji Babatunde, Adama Drame(drah-may), Mamadi Keita, or Ladji Camara playing Djembes or Talking Drums, you will NOT be disappointed... These men are an experience for the ears and soul... Peace! Isaiah | ||
Chi Drummer (chidrummer) 4-Laureate Username: chidrummer Post Number: 131 Registered: 5-2004 Posted From: 67.175.80.214 |
I told you this was a fun game Bradburger, in the interest of scientific investigation name your source(s). It's my understanding that Pistol & Uriel themselves claim Uptight and Ain't Too Proud to Beg respectively. I agree though, that the fills in ATPTB point to Benny. All four drummers were around Motown in 1964 at the time of Dancing in the Street so how did you find out that this was one of Waites' sessions? I think we're comparing apples to oranges when comparing drummers playing R & B tracks to drummers playing jazz. Of course, the jazz drummers are going to display more technical ability. That's almost by default. The two styles require two very different approaches to the insrument. Both styles have their heroes and rightly so. Listen to them all. Each one has something to say. | ||
Jim G (jim_g) 2-Debutant Username: jim_g Post Number: 30 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 205.188.116.138 |
Pistol told me "Baby Love" was his first Motown session; not sure exactly when that one took place. | ||
Bradburger (bradburger) 1-Arriviste Username: bradburger Post Number: 7 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 172.189.14.123 |
Hi Chi I must admit I've never seen or heard Uriel or Pistol claim they played on Uptight. As for a source, well I need look no further than the booklet of the first Hitsville box set: "Uptight - inspired by the Stones 'Satisfaction' and driven home by drummer Benny Benjamin with relentless invention". Prior to getting the box set, that track always had Benny written all over it to me. As for naming Mr Waites as the drummer on Dancing In The Street, I believe that it was asked on the Motown BB a while back if there was indeed two drummers on that session (as hinted at in Berry Gordy's book) and who they were, and I believe it was Harry Weinger who gave details of the session and identified it as being Fredrick Waites doing the honours on this classic recording. I'll have to do a search on the MBB to see if I can find the thread but it may have been lost as the board software has since been upgraded. [EDIT] I didn't find the thread on the MBB but did find this on the Steve Hoffman Forums: http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/showthread.php?t=19079&page=3&pp=20&highlight=Dancing+Street Cheers Paul (Message edited by Bradburger on August 23, 2004) | ||
RJ Spangler (rj_spangler) 1-Arriviste Username: rj_spangler Post Number: 3 Registered: 8-2004 Posted From: 152.163.252.200 |
Last year Benny was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Joe Weaver was Benny's first cousin and one of his last living relatives so we got to attend the ceremony where Joe spoke about his cousin. Quite a time! He and Benny played MANY gigs together over the years. Paul Scaffer of the Letterman band, led his group through a well put together tribute to Benny and his pattented pick-up riffs to intro a song! | ||
GO_GET_GONE_GIRL (gogogirl) 5-Doyen Username: gogogirl Post Number: 307 Registered: 5-2004 Posted From: 69.1.9.65 |
Greetings All, I wanted to follow up on the Drums. See to me - what I remember about Mr. Benjamin is the BEAT. Most of us know how the drum beat gone go on "Going To A Go-go", and many more. LOL! We just remember that intro - and there is the point. Mr. B. did his part when he used to bang - strum and beat the drums slow or fast on many of the early Motown songs and hits. I just recently learned more about the Fantastic Funk Brothers within the last couple of years. So - when I used to and still hear songs - where I remember the music/intruments - along with the words - I remember all the parts to them. There might have been some things technically/productionally wrong w/how Mr. B. delivered and served up his drum playing to the masses - yet the masses don't/didn't care. We just remember(d) the beat. Listen to Mr. B. on "Ain't Too Proud To Beg", and countless others. See - because we all picked up and dug the drum beat he used to roll in every song he played on for Motown - we remember that beat every time we hear a particular song from Motown's Motortown Revue days and after - as we speak. Benny Benjamin's time with Motown was just his time to shine. All of the drummers that played for Motown were/are bad, and right on time. And just like with them - we can identify the drum beat to many of the songs they played on. All of the drummers at Motown back in the day were great drummers. To some - it is a subjective thing - and I can dig it. But for us fans - we just remember the beat, and we knew the beat was backed up behind some serious skills. May haps not the best skills in the world to some - but some deep skilz - none the less - and just the same. That drum beat is something else. That is one instrument that can hypnotize one. It can put one in a trance. There is no other instrument that holds such power. Some would argue that the guitar is more powerful - and I can dig it. I love all kinds of instruments - to include the harp - but the drums bring forth the beat. What think y'all? LOL! http://www.grammy.com/features /2004/0206_funkbrothers.aspx (Message edited by gogogirl on August 25, 2004) | ||
Bob Olhsson (bob_olhsson) 1-Arriviste Username: bob_olhsson Post Number: 8 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 209.247.222.106 |
I've always felt Benny was Motown's real secret weapon since the very first time I ever mixed a song he played on. While Motown had occasionally used two drummers (and sometimes even two bass players,) we NEEDED to use two drummers combined with Jack playing the tambourine after Benny passed. You could mute the drums on the later stuff but you didn't dare try that on anything BENNY played on. It was just that simple, he glued those songs together. | ||
GO_GET_GONE_GIRL (gogogirl) 5-Doyen Username: gogogirl Post Number: 311 Registered: 5-2004 Posted From: 69.1.9.65 |
Greetings All, I just recently arrived home from the dentist office. I am getting my gums cleaned - before my crowns can be added. At least the dentist told me I needed them clean. LOL! Mr. Bob O. - I am honored to have you post to this thread honoring Mr. Benny (I Can Beat It" Benjamin. All I know is - I loved the beat. Don't we usually dance to the drum beat in most songs? For Soul music - the drum has always been the centerpiece and brought the beat - IMO. We keep time to the beat - and most of that time is spent dancing and keeping up with the drum beat. In the HOF piece - Mr. Gordy says - "Benny was my man." LOL! I believe Berry Gordy and Benny Benjamin weren't just employer and employee - they were friends - and both born in the thirties. Like Smokey said - they were all family at Motown. Mr. Berry admitted that he didn't care who else wasn't available - he had to have J.J. & B.B. @ a session. LOL! He most likely sent someone after those two back in the day. LOL! He knew which side his bread was buttered on - and at that time. Anyway - Bob - I appreciate what you stated about the Secret Weapon. That shows me that I wasn't too far off in my intrique and appreciation for what Ms. Ben brought forth and served up to the people. 'Ya just got to have those drums thrown all up in some of the songs we know and love - indeed. http://www.hamillgallery.com/E XHIBITIONS/AfricanDrums.html |
