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Born
in Pennsylvania,1943, George Benson, began learning to play the guitar
at the age of eight. Under the name George "Bad" Benson, he scored
his first British hit single in the autumn of '75 with Supership.
His breakthrough came in 1976 with the jazz-funk LP Breezin', when
it became apparent that this skilful guitarist was a strong singer
too, giving Benson another US Top 10 album and his first UK album
placing. The Stevie Wonder-ish vocals of Benson were pushed tot the
forefront on the next hit The greatest love of all, the theme from
the Mohammed Ali movie The Greatest. In 1980 Benson teamed up with
Quincy Jones, who made Give me the night a major commercial triumph.The
producer's jazztinged, soul-inflected but ever commercial sound was
just what the artist needed to complete his long-term move into the
pop market. In the UK the LP reached no. 3 with 40 weeks on the charts,
while the title track was Benson's first Top 10 single in the UK.
Stateside it was his biggest ever 45, reached no. 4. Amongst danceclassic
lovers however Inside Love is still to be considered George's best
record. Benson has managed to build himself a considerable fanbase
with his big sellers while keeping the critic's respect with his obvious
musical ability, the jazz apprenticeship has given him a credibility
and longevity. |
