George Benson
Electric Guitar
81 age
March 22, 1943 Birthday
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. Birthplace
www.georgebenson.com Website
Social
Shows
About
George Benson is a skilled guitarist, vocalist and songwriter who has had success across jazz, pop and R&B. In his 50 year career he has recorded over 30 albums and won 10 Grammy awards. Benson began his career in the 1960s mainly as a jazz guitarist and recorded several well received soul-jazz albums. In the 1970s he added vocals and quickly became a popular success. His 1976 album, "Breezin'" went double platinum, reached to Billboard Top 10 and won a Grammy. For the next several decades Benson continued to record and perform winning fans and accolades all over the world. In the 2000s Benson released two tribute albums to some of his idols Nat King Cole, Fats Domino and Chuck Berry. He continues to perform all over the world.
Trivia
George Benson was named a NEA Jazz Master in 2009. George Benson recorded the original version of the song "The Greatest Love of All"as the "The Greatest" in 1977; this song was later covered and made famous by Whitney Houston. George Benson has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Early Life
George Benson was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1943. A child prodigy, Benson was singing and playing the ukulele at age 7 and playing a guitar in an unlicensed nightclub at age 8. At age 10 Benson recorded his first record, “She Makes Me Mad.” In his teens he played a homemade guitar in a rock band, but developed an interest in jazz and starting playing in Brother Jack McDuff's band in the early 1960s. A few years later Benson recorded his first album as leader, "The New Boss Guitar."
George Benson Solos
1973
Electric Guitar solo - First Light - 1973
4/4 latin in A♭ minor at 160 BPM
1971
Electric Guitar solo - First Light - 1971
4/4 latin in A♭ minor at 157 BPM
Electric Guitar solo - Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey - 1971
4/4 funk in C major at 103 BPM
1970
Electric Guitar solo - Straight Life - 1970
4/4 funk in F major at 103 BPM
Electric Guitar solo - Mr. Clean - 1970
4/4 funk in F minor at 172 BPM