(b. 1908 Augusta, Ontario; d. 1973, Edmonton, Alberta)
“He was a refined person in a crude way” was how Benny Benjamin referred to himself, according to his son Weston.
Benny Benjamin was one of the first music promoters in Edmonton in the late 1950s and early 1960s – bringing in all genres of music from blues and rock to country. Artists that he brought in at that time were as diverse as Bo Diddley, Louis Armstrong, Ray Charles, Harry Belafonte, Frank Zappa and Johnny Cash. He was the first promoter to book significant blues artists including Cream with Eric Clapton, John Mayall, B.B. King and Alberta King. Most of these shows were out of the Sales Pavilion or the Kinsmen Fieldhouse. He had connections with major R&B record companies and promoters in the United States, such as Filmore West out of San Francisco.
Through Benny’s endeavours, a number of protégés emerged who carried the mantle of bringing significant talent to Edmonton. Most notable were Holger Peterson and Don Whalen who were each responsible for booking acts at the Hovel (one of Edmonton’s first premier blues and folk venues) in the early to mid 1970s. Holger and Don went on to develop the Edmonton Folk Music Festival to great success in the 1980s.
Benny Benjamin was an early catalyst in the local blues scene, exposing local musicians in particular to the English blues acts. This had a great influence on Hot Cottage and Holger Petersen who has often stated his love of Long John Baldry’s music.
Benny, a risk taker, brought in international talent to an isolated city like Edmonton, which was never fully recognized by the Edmonton music community. The Edmonton Blues Hall of Fame is honoured to acknowledge Benny Benjamin, a long overdue tribute.