Boyd Byron Bennett (December 7, 1924 - June 2, 2002) is an American rockabilly songwriter and singer.
His two biggest hit singles, both written and performed by him, were "Seventeen" with his band, Rockets (US No. 5), (US R & B No. 7), and No. 16 in UK Singles Chart.Ã,; and "My Boy, Flat Top" (US No. 39). He later became a disc jockey in Kentucky. He also worked with Francis Craig and Moon Mullican.
Bennett was inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame for his contribution to this genre.
Video Boyd Bennett
Life and career
Bennett was born in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, United States, but attended secondary school in Tennessee and formed his first band there. He grew up in North Davidson, Tennessee, outside Nashville. His family is musically oriented and talented. His grandfather taught church members in the community how to read music. He also taught Boyd at the age of four to read notes in music, before Boyd could actually read the lyrics. Growing during the Great Depression, Bennett did whatever it took to make money. He sings in a quartet and plays guitar and sings outside the bar for additional funds. However, at the age of 16, his career was disrupted by World War II where he served four years; and in his spare time perfecting his guitar. During the early 1950s, Boyd Bennett and the Southland performers performed local dance performances and various TV shows.
In 1952, while working at WAVE (TV), Boyd came up with the idea of ​​a music variety show called Boyd Bennett and His Space Buddies. For Foster Brooks, this is his first chance in show business. This event is taking off from the Gene Autry Show . Instead of singing a cowboy, it sings a cadet of space. Humor, music, and originality make the show a hit with local fans. The station owner was not too far away and the show was canceled after seven editions. The following year they performed in various dances and performances in Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio.
Boyd and his group played in the Rustic Ballroom in Jasper, Indiana regularly for several years. Renamed Boyd Bennett and His Rockets, they became the concern of Syd Nathan, owner of King Records. They released some country songs, "Time" and "Hopeless Case". In 1955, Boyd created a new sound while playing drums, during a number of recording sessions with musicians such as Earl Bostic, Bill Doggett, and Otis Williams and the Charm. He started experimenting with songs that would appeal to the teenagers. Boyd and his band rented King Record studios to record "Poison Ivy", "You Upset Me Baby" and "Boogie at Midnight". When sales reached 100,000 copies, the singles were subsequently re-released under King Records. They then signed Boyd to a recording contract. In 1955, Boyd Bennett and His Rockets recorded "Seventeen".
Reached the Billboard chart on July 9th and headed for number five in September. Boyd and Rockets travel all over the country, doing their hits. There are also several recorded versions of the cover that extend the song release. This includes fellow graphic efforts by Fontane Sisters and Rusty Draper. Boyd and his band followed "Seventeen" with "My Boy Flat Top" which reached the Top 40 for several months, although the sellers were lower than their previous efforts. Boyd also worked as a disc jockey in 1955 in Louisville, Kentucky. In March 1956, Boyd's group released the cover version of "Blue Suede Shoes".
In 1959, Bennett left King Records and started his next record short career with Mercury. Noting that he was drifting away from a teen audience, he left the music industry and built his business interests, which included having a nightclub and AC spare parts manufacturer. In the 1970s and 1980s, Bennett had health problems with lung lymphoma and fibrosis. He retired in Dallas, although he often performed at concerts, often with Ray Price. He also recorded for Dallas-based Christian record labels, including the 1980s album "Step Into The Sunshine".
Bennett died of lung disease in June 2002. Shortly before his death he was inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.
Maps Boyd Bennett
References
External links
- Biography of Boyd Bennett
Source of the article : Wikipedia
0 Comments