Brook Benton, born Benjamin Franklin Peay on September 19, 1931, was an American singer and songwriter who made a significant mark in the music industry during the 1950s and 1960s. His smooth baritone voice and dexterous interpretation of material allowed him to cross over between pop, R&B, and rock and roll audiences. Benton's lush vocal delivery drove his singles to reside comfortably on various charts, with songs like "It's Just a Matter of Time" and "Endlessly," displaying his stylistic versatility.

Throughout his career, Brook Benton was a staple of heartfelt balladry and uptempo tunes. He enjoyed significant acclaim with a series of hits in the late '50s and throughout the '60s, cementing his place in music history. His timeless classic "Rainy Night in Georgia," which he co-wrote, remains a standout track and speaks to his profound influence on soul music. Even decades after his debut, Benton's catalogue continues to see fresh releases and remastered versions of his works, such as "Endlessly: Hits," "Ninety-Nine Percent (Remastered)," and live performances on prestigious stages like The Ed Sullivan Show, evidencing the enduring appeal of his velvet voice and emotional delivery. His ability to express common emotional experiences with such eloquence makes his music resonate with new generations of listeners, sustaining his legacy as one of the most cherished vocalists of his time. Brook Benton passed away on April 9, 1988, but his music remains a rich legacy of the golden age of American soul and pop.

Genres

Southern Soul

Related Artists

Sam Cooke

Ray Charles

Otis Redding

Percy Sledge

Ben E. King

James Brown

Marvin Gaye

Nat King Cole

Al Green

Solomon Burke

Jackie Wilson

Stevie Wonder

Latest Release

Endlessly: Hits

Brook Benton

Album - 18 Tracks - Released October 15, 2023