Bobby Bennett (The Famous Flames) facts for kids

Robert J. Bennett (born June 27, 1938 – died January 18, 2013), known as Bobby Bennett, was an American singer, songwriter, and performer. He was famous for being a member of the vocal group The Famous Flames from 1958 to 1968. With the group, he sang, wrote songs, danced, and performed comedy in the James Brown Revue. In 2012, he was added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as part of The Famous Flames.

Biography

Early Life and Start in Music

Bobby Bennett was born on June 27, 1938, in Burlington, North Carolina. He grew up there and finished high school in 1957. His wife, Sandra, shared that Bobby sang with a gospel group called the Harmonizing Five. They traveled and performed in many states.

After high school, Bobby received a scholarship to A&T University. He studied Agricultural Studies there. In the spring of 1958, Bobby took a summer break from college. He worked in New Jersey to earn money for school.

Later, he visited New York City to see his friend J. C. Davis. Davis's band was playing for James Brown and The Famous Flames. Bobby and Davis had been friends since high school. Bobby even became Davis's assistant for a short time.

Joining The Famous Flames

During a performance, Bobby learned that one of The Famous Flames, Robert Gram, was leaving. J. C. Davis encouraged Bobby to try out for the spot. Davis believed Bobby had the right voice and talent.

Auditions were held at the Teresa Hotel in New York City. Bobby Bennett competed against twenty other singers. He won the spot and became a full member of The Famous Flames in 1958. This meant he left college for good.

When Bobby joined, James Brown was still growing as a musician. He was seen as a member of The Famous Flames, not yet a solo star. The group's manager, Ben Bart, suggested they perform as "James Brown and The Famous Flames." This happened after their first hit song, "Please, Please, Please". At that time, The Famous Flames included Brown, "Baby Lloyd" Stallworth, and Johnny Terry.

It's important to know that The Famous Flames were a singing group. They were not the band that played instruments.

The group's founder, Bobby Byrd, had left earlier but rejoined in 1959. This was just before their first show at The Apollo Theater. One of Bobby Bennett's first recordings with the group was "Good, Good Lovin'". This song became popular in their region.

Between 1960 and 1964, Bobby Bennett helped create many hit songs with the Flames. These included "Think", "Bewildered", and "I'll Go Crazy". Even though James Brown was often given all the credit, the entire group recorded and made these songs famous. Bobby Bennett and the other Flames also helped write some of the group's songs. By the early 1960s, The Famous Flames were a top R&B group. They were popular both on records and during their live shows.

Live Performances and Fame

The group's live shows were full of energy and excitement. Their tight harmonies and amazing dance routines made them very popular. They performed in famous places like The Regal Theater and The Apollo Theater.

The president of King Records thought live albums wouldn't sell. But James Brown used his own money to release the Live at the Apollo album in 1963. This album became a huge success. It reached #2 on the Billboard Pop Album Chart and sold over a million copies. This was a big achievement for an R&B album back then.

The Famous Flames were not always credited on the album covers. But they were mentioned in the album's introduction. Later, on CD versions, the group finally got credit alongside Brown. After the Apollo album, the group became very famous. By 1965, they appeared on TV shows like The Ed Sullivan Show and American Bandstand.

The group also started touring all over the world. They performed in places like The Olympia in Paris and Royal Albert Hall in London. Bobby Bennett said they became so popular that they couldn't even leave their hotels for sightseeing. People would mob them.

The group also appeared in two Hollywood movies. These were The T.A.M.I. Show in 1964 and Ski Party in 1965. In The T.A.M.I. Show, they performed so well that they even outshined the main act, The Rolling Stones.

Bobby Bennett also contributed to other live albums like Pure Dynamite! Live at the Royal. He was known for the group's funny stage routines. He also worked on studio albums like Think! and Showtime. The last studio song they recorded with Brown was "Maybe the Last Time" in 1964. Bobby Bennett also recorded some solo songs produced by James Brown. These included "Soul Jerk Pts. 1 & 2" under the name Bobby Bennett & The Dynamics.

Changes and Separation

As the group became more successful, James Brown started to focus more on his solo career. This caused some disagreements within the group. Bobby Bennett mentioned that at first, everyone traveled together in a station wagon. But as they became more famous, Brown traveled in a Cadillac or a private jet. Bobby saw this as the start of the group's separation.

The record label, King Records, also played a part. They often put only James Brown's picture on album covers. They sometimes didn't even mention the group's name. James Brown also took control of the group's money. The other members were paid a salary, which led to disagreements about money and royalties.

Because of these issues, James Brown started using the other Flames less on his records. Baby Lloyd Stallworth left the group in 1966. Bobby Bennett also left the James Brown Show in 1968. Even though The Famous Flames' name was on many records between 1965 and 1968, the Flames were not singing on them. This made many people think The Famous Flames were Brown's band, not the vocal group they truly were. The last song where The Famous Flames were credited was "Licking Stick" in 1968. Bobby Byrd, the founder, also left for good in 1973 due to money problems.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction

On April 14, 2012, Bobby Bennett and the other members of The Famous Flames were finally inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. When James Brown was first inducted in 1986, the other Famous Flames members were not included. This caused a lot of confusion and discussion for 26 years.

In 2012, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame created a special committee. They looked at important groups that were not inducted with their lead singers in the early years. As a result, The Famous Flames, including Bobby Bennett, were automatically inducted. This was because they should have been inducted with James Brown in 1986. Bobby Bennett, who was 74 and the only surviving member of The Famous Flames, accepted the award for the group.

In an interview, Bobby said: "James (Brown) was a Flame. Bobby Byrd was a Flame. Lloyd Stallworth was a Flame, and Bobby Bennett (who's still here), was a Famous Flame also." He added, "We were the best out there: best dancers, best singers, we were good." He also mentioned that many famous groups like The O'Jays and The Temptations had worked with James Brown and The Famous Flames.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame honored Bobby Bennett and the other Famous Flames members, Bobby Byrd, Lloyd Stallworth, and Johnny Terry, on April 14, 2012.

In a 2012 interview with Goldmine magazine, Bobby Bennett was asked how he wanted the group to be remembered. He said, "I want (people) to know one thing. We were the Famous Flames… James Brown was a Famous Flame, Bobby Byrd was a Famous Flame, Lloyd Stallworth was a Famous Flame and Bobby Bennett was a Famous Flame… wherever we played, we were the Famous Flames. We were never the band, never." He stressed that they were the three guys who danced and sang with James Brown at every concert. James Brown himself confirmed that The Famous Flames were a singing group, not backup musicians, in a 1982 interview.

Later Life and Legacy

Bobby Bennett passed away at his home in Maryland on January 18, 2013. He died from complications of diabetes. This was less than a year after his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Ten days later, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame website honored him with a tribute article. He is survived by his wife, Sandi, and their children.

Actor and choreographer Aakomon Jones played Bobby Bennett in the James Brown movie "Get on Up". The movie came out in U.S. theaters on January 8, 2014. Jones also worked as the choreographer for the film.

In 2020, Bobby Bennett was inducted into the National Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame. This happened seven years after James Brown was inducted into the same organization. He was inducted along with the other Famous Flames members: Baby Lloyd Stallworth, Bobby Byrd, and Johnny Terry.