Brook Benton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Brook Benton
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Promotional photo of Benton (1959)
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Benjamin Franklin Peay |
| Born | September 19, 1931 Lugoff, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Died | April 9, 1988 (aged 56) Queens, New York, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupations | Singer, songwriter, actor |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1948–1988 |
| Labels | Okeh, Mercury, Cotillion, RCA |
Brook Benton (born Benjamin Franklin Peay, September 19, 1931 – April 9, 1988) was a famous American singer and songwriter. He was very popular in the late 1950s and early 1960s. He sang rock and roll, rhythm and blues, and pop songs. Some of his biggest hits were "It's Just a Matter of Time" and "Endlessly." He even helped write many of his songs.
Later, in 1970, he had another huge hit called "Rainy Night in Georgia." Brook Benton had more than 50 songs that made it onto the Billboard music charts. He also wrote popular songs for other singers.
Early Life and Start in Music
When Brook Benton was young, he loved gospel music. He wrote songs and sang in his church choir in Lugoff, South Carolina. His father, Willie Peay, was the choir leader.
In 1948, Brook moved to New York City to start his music career. He joined different gospel groups like The Langfordaires and The Golden Gate Quartet. He later returned home and joined an R&B group called The Sandmen. They went back to New York, hoping to become famous.
The Sandmen did not become very successful. Their record company, Okeh Records, decided to focus on Brook as a solo artist. They changed his name to Brook Benton.
Brook also made a good living by writing songs for other artists. He wrote songs for famous singers like Nat King Cole and Clyde McPhatter. He had a small hit song called "A Million Miles from Nowhere." After that, he signed with Mercury Records, which helped him become a big star. He also appeared in the 1957 movie Mister Rock And Roll.
Becoming a Star
In 1959, Brook Benton finally became a big star. He had hit songs like "It's Just a Matter of Time" and "Endlessly." "It's Just a Matter of Time" reached number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It sold over one million copies and earned a gold record. "Endlessly" reached number 12. Brook wrote both of these songs with Clyde Otis.
They first offered these songs to Nat King Cole. But when Clyde Otis became a manager and producer at Mercury, he convinced Brook to record them himself. After this, Brook had many more hits. These included "So Many Ways" (No. 6), "Hotel Happiness" (No. 3), "Think Twice" (No. 11), "Kiddio" (No. 7), and "The Boll Weevil Song" (No. 2).
In 1960, he sang two top 10 duets with Dinah Washington. These were "Baby (You've Got What It Takes)" (No. 5) and "A Rockin' Good Way (To Mess Around and Fall in Love)" (No. 7).
In the mid-1960s, Brook recorded for RCA Records and Reprise Records. He did not have as much success then. But in 1968, he signed with Cotillion Records. The next year, he had his last big hit with "Rainy Night in Georgia." This song sold over a million copies and was number one on the Billboard R&B chart. Brook recorded five albums with Cotillion, including a gospel album.
Brook Benton had a total of 49 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. His songs also appeared on other charts like rhythm and blues and easy listening. His last album, Fools Rush In, was released after he passed away in 2005.
Later Life and Passing
Brook Benton became weak from a brain infection called meningitis. He sadly passed away from pneumonia in Queens, New York City, on April 9, 1988. He was 56 years old. He was survived by his wife, Mary Benton, and their six children.
Images for kids
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Benton in 1970
