Benny Benjamin

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Benny Benjamin · William Benjamin, known as Benny and nicknamed Papa Zita, was born in 1925 in Birmingham, Alabama. He learned to drum in the style of the jazz big bands of the 1940s. Drummers such as Buddy Rich and Tito Puente were his models. In 1958 he became Motown's first regular studio drummer in Detroit.

Music and breakthrough

As the drummer of The Funk Brothers, the label's house band, Benjamin played on a long string of hits. Early successes such as Money (That's What I Want) by Barrett Strong, Shop Around by The Miracles and Do You Love Me by The Contours carry his signature. My Girl and Get Ready by The Temptations, I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch) by the Four Tops, Uptight (Everything's Alright) by Stevie Wonder and You Can't Hurry Love by The Supremes followed later. His playing was dynamic and driving. Some producers, Berry Gordy himself among them, only wanted to record when Benjamin drummed and James Jamerson played bass. The Beatles, too, were impressed.

Influence

At the end of the 1960s he became addicted to drugs and alcohol, and other drummers took over more and more of his work. He died in 1969 at the age of 43. In 2003 he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Benjamin was one of the invisible forces behind the sound of Motown.

Listening

In School of Rock

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