Obit: Steve Benbow (1931-2006)

Subject: Obit: Steve Benbow
From: Leadfingers
Date: 17 Nov 06 - 07:13 PM

Just before eleven pm GMT Friday 17th November 2006 we had a message at the Brewery Tap that Steve Benbow died this evening ! He had gone into hospital last weekend for 'checks' following major heart surgery a year or so back ! The End of an Era is a somewhat over used expression , but for me , at least this IS the end of an era , as I have been jamming with Steve on and off since the days of the Fox at Hanwell , when Steve was playing with the Late Great Denny Wright .
Johnny Bull led 'Let the Circle Be Unbroken' and i am sure Steve was laying some Good Jazz Chords in with us ! A Sad Day !

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Steve Benbow Website
Steve Benbow Photographs

Subject: RE: Obit: Steve Benbow
From: Zany Mouse
Date: 17 Nov 06 - 07:29 PM

A very sad day. He was a gentleman and a gentle man. The world is a lesser place for his passing.

Rhiannon

Subject: RE: Obit: Steve Benbow (Nov 2006)
From: SINSULL
Date: 17 Nov 06 - 09:26 PM

Very sad. Sorry, Terry.

Subject: RE: Obit: Steve Benbow (Nov 2006)
From: Nancy King
Date: 17 Nov 06 - 10:32 PM

I am very very sad to hear this. I never met Steve Benbow, but have been a fan of his since 1963, when a college roommate came back from a year at the University of Leeds with, among other things, a copy of a wonderful LP titled "Admiral Benbow." I loved it, and learned at least half a dozen songs from it, most of which I still sing regularly.

Back in 2001, I started this thread asking about his background and availability of his recordings. Got some interesting replies -- he was a man of many talents, obviously! That thread also contained an erroneous report of his death some months before. Then about a year later there was another thread denying the death report and telling of Steve's current activities. I was relieved to know he was still around! Still later there was news of a new CD, which I ordered.

What a very sad loss this is -- Steve Benbow was not a flashy performer, but totally competent, and his very simple arrangements really showed off the charm of the songs themselves. I sure wish I'd had the chance to see him perform live.

I'll raise a glass in his memory -- and think of him every time I sing "The Chivalrous Shark," or "Green Broom," or "The Dark-Eyed Gypsy," or "Time to be Made a Wife," or any of the other songs I learned from his recordings.

Nancy

Subject: RE: Obit: Steve Benbow (Nov 2006)
From: greg stephens
Date: 17 Nov 06 - 11:09 PM

Fantastic bloke. Have always sung his version of Barnard and Musgrave, and Turpin Hero. Sorry to hear this news, but delighted to have known him.

Subject: RE: Obit: Steve Benbow (Nov 2006)
From: Scrump
Date: 18 Nov 06 - 08:09 AM

That's sad news. I never met him, but he was one of the first English folk singers I ever heard. It's a shame he didn't become more well known than he was. He was also the only person I know who covered Adge Cutler's "Champion Dung Spreader" and could do it justice!

RIP.

Subject: RE: Obit: Steve Benbow (Nov 2006)
From: Compton
Date: 18 Nov 06 - 08:20 AM

A Sad time...I'm old enough to remember him as one of the best things on the TV "Barn Dance" (with an even younger Val Doonican !!) Somewhere I even have him playing on a Tommy Cavanagh Square Dance record ...with (The) Jack Emblow...How versatile was that!!

Another good one gone!

Subject: RE: Obit: Steve Benbow (Nov 2006)
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 18 Nov 06 - 08:58 AM

Oh dear, that is indeed bad news. He seemed to be going along fine after his heart op.
He will be sadly missed, he has been such a large part of the London folk scene for such a long time.
RIP Steve mate.
Giok

Subject: RE: Obit: Steve Benbow (Nov 2006)
From: greg stephens
Date: 18 Nov 06 - 09:13 AM

I always loved Steve's guitar playing. He was determinedly unreconstructed, Renbourne/Jansch/Graham/Carthy passed him by. He performed with great panache and attack, great fun. He never was admittted to the pantheon of the trendy, but he did what he did superbly, and made many many friends because of it.

Subject: RE: Obit: Steve Benbow (Nov 2006)
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 18 Nov 06 - 12:11 PM

I was saddened to hear this too. He was a great player, entertainer and a nice guy to talk to with a lot of interesting stories. I was impressed when I first heard him on the radio back in the 60s and still impressed when I met him 30 years later, when I had a chance to play with him a few times. I imagine that Diz is now the only remaining one of the London swing guitarists of that era still alive.

Allan Castro (who maintains Steve's web site) emailed me to say that there'll be a bit of a gathering at the Brewery Tap (Brentford, where Steve hosted his jazz and folk sessions) this coming Sunday.

Mick

Subject: RE: Obit: Steve Benbow (Nov 2006)
From: Leadfingers
Date: 19 Nov 06 - 06:31 AM

Interesting fact about Steve - he taught Guitar to Davy Graham , who I think went on to slightly greater things !

Subject: RE: Obit: Steve Benbow (Nov 2006)
From: Bugsy
Date: 19 Nov 06 - 06:42 AM

Very sad news indeed.

Vale Steve.

Bugsy

Subject: RE: Obit: Steve Benbow (Nov 2006)
From: Leadfingers
Date: 19 Nov 06 - 08:02 AM

Steve's funeral is on Thursday at Mortlake Crematoriunm , 12.30 pm !

Subject: RE: Obit: Steve Benbow (Nov 2006)
From: Flash Company
Date: 19 Nov 06 - 10:31 AM

Another Good Man done gone! We sure have lost a lot this year.

FC

Subject: RE: Obit: Steve Benbow (Nov 2006)
From: Severn
Date: 19 Nov 06 - 11:11 AM

I was lucky enough to meet him and see him in action, albeit a bit late in the game, in his capacity as co-ringleader this past May at circus that is The Brewery Tap on my UK visit (Thanks to Terry). News of his existance never really hit The States, but I'm better off for the knowledge, the meeting, and the sound of him.

Funny thing, though, I was listening at work to a Folktrax compelation album about inland waterways I'd just bought from Dick Greenhaus at The Getaway, and had actually heard an old recording of him on the day I learned of his demise.

So, he'll be missed here, too.

Subject: Obit: STEVE BENBOW - 17TH NOV
From: Steve Benbows protege
Date: 19 Nov 06 - 11:59 AM

I received a phone call from Mrs benbow yesterday morning breaking the news of Steve's Passing. He died Friday from a heart attack. He had suffered over the last couple of years from heart trouble.

I personally have learnt alot from Steve. He took me from a troubled teenager and taught me the beauty of music and the friendships that can be gained from playing music. He taught me the art of performance of folk, jazz, middle eastern and I have truely appreciated all that he did for me.

We often could be found having a good chuckle at Southall market on the poultry and horse fair days - then back to Steve's for lunch and a "Blow." I learnt alot through accompaying / studying with him and listening to his old records. His passion for music even in the last couple of years still amazes me and his ability to play with anyone/any style who asked him for a turn. He never judged anyone, he just gave them the chance to play, just like he had been given years before.

My families thoughts are with his widdow Sandie, and I am sure most of yours will be too.

If anyone wants to send condolences please tag onto the bottom and I will pass them on.

Steve's funeral is Thursday 23rd and details can be found on his website. A true friend of mine who will be sorely missed.

Peter Oliver.

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Threads combined.

Steve Benbow's Website

Subject: RE: Obit: Steve Benbow (17 Nov 2006)
From: GUEST,beachcomber
Date: 19 Nov 06 - 03:24 PM

I remember hearing him on some kind of afternoon requests programme on BBC Radio (Light) back in the late 5os. It prompted me to buy his LP called "I Travel the World" when I emigrated to London in '58. I wanted to learn his guitar style ( yeh ?)
He is mentioned by 'catters as a much more versatile performer than I had heard previously. Wonder would it have been the commercial angle that "captured" him for folk music ?
I still treasure that LP.

Subject: RE: Obit: Steve Benbow (17 Nov 2006)
From: Leadfingers
Date: 19 Nov 06 - 07:20 PM

Beachcomber - Steve was 'into' SO much music , he played English Trad , American Trad , ALL sorts of Contemporary , Latin American ,
Greek , and a wide variety of Jazz ,with a strong leaning to Django !

Subject: RE: Obit: Steve Benbow (17 Nov 2006)
From: Steve Benbows protege
Date: 20 Nov 06 - 03:35 AM

Leadfingers amen to the last comment.

Subject: RE: Obit: Steve Benbow (17 Nov 2006)
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Nov 06 - 07:51 AM

What a sad day. A real guitar hero who did not get his just rewards. From the early days in the Skiffle Cellar right up until the late 90's when he came with my group to play in Belgium, he was ever the joker and complete musician. I also have fond memories of Steve when we were resident on a series from HTV called "At The Cider Apple", also on the show were Adge Cutler and The Wurzels, Fred Wedlock, Roger Whittaker and Julie Felix, you can imagine what a ball we had doing this gig in a pub setting, with barrels of cider on tap!! Play on Steve!

Subject: RE: Obit: Steve Benbow (17 Nov 2006)
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Nov 06 - 04:04 AM

refresh

Subject: RE: Obit: Steve Benbow (17 Nov 2006)
From: Scrump
Date: 22 Nov 06 - 06:09 AM

To GUEST, 21 Nov 06 - 07:51 AM : I'm interested in knowing more about the HTV show you mention "At The Cider Apple" - I'd be grateful if you could kindly PM me with more details. Thanks!

Subject: RE: Obit: Steve Benbow (17 Nov 2006)
From: GUEST,steve benbows protege at work
Date: 22 Nov 06 - 07:13 AM

Hey, can we all log onto the B.B.C website and request a three in a row from the "sounds of the sixties show" (Brian Matthews show.)

I have already sent a request and it would be nice for us all to have Steve on the Radio on Saturday morning and would be a lovely thing to do from all his friends etc.

Cheers.

Peter.

Subject: RE: Obit: Steve Benbow (17 Nov 2006)
From: GUEST,rose eyre
Date: 24 Nov 06 - 05:42 PM

steve and i sang together regularly during the last 10 years i was totally in awe of him and so nervous when i plucked upthe courage to ask if i could sing a song with him for the first time.our it turned into the most meaningful musical relationship i have had i learned so much..but it was such jameson fuelled fun..and i loved him to bits such a great bloke.he used to tell me off for getting theatrical.ie..shouting..but it was him letting me soar.great nights at the tap bye steve love rose

Subject: RE: Obit: Steve Benbow (17 Nov 2006)
From: Leadfingers
Date: 24 Nov 06 - 07:09 PM

We gave Steve a good send off ! Standing room only at the Crematorium and a who's who of GOOD musos , as well as Steve's Family and friends ! Then back to The Tap - It was about an hour before enough people had sad their goodbyes and gone that there was enough room to get a few instruments out ! I left just before 6 pm , but I gather the session went on till (Even by The Tap Timings) LATE . Steve would have loved it !

Subject: RE: Obit: Steve Benbow (17 Nov 2006)
From: GUEST,steve benbows protege at work
Date: 01 Dec 06 - 08:15 AM

Tel, what a good day eh? Blimey steve would have loved it.

Subject: RE: Obit: Steve Benbow (17 Nov 2006)
From: GUEST,Simon
Date: 01 Dec 06 - 08:17 AM

There is an obituary in todays times

Subject: RE: Obit: Steve Benbow (17 Nov 2006)
From: Scrump
Date: 01 Dec 06 - 09:06 AM

Times obit here

Subject: RE: Obit: Steve Benbow (17 Nov 2006)
From: GUEST,Henryp
Date: 01 Dec 06 - 11:10 AM

And an obit in The Guardian today too.

Subject: RE: Obit: Steve Benbow (17 Nov 2006)
From: Scrump
Date: 01 Dec 06 - 11:18 AM

Guardian obit here.

Subject: RE: Obit: Steve Benbow (17 Nov 2006)
From: Leadfingers
Date: 01 Dec 06 - 02:44 PM

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?view=DETAILS&grid=&xml=/news/2006/11/28/db2802.xml And thats the link for the Torygraph !!

Subject: RE: Obit: Steve Benbow (17 Nov 2006)
From: Maryrrf
Date: 01 Dec 06 - 03:21 PM

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?view=DETAILS&grid=&xml=/news/2006/11/28/db2802.xml

Subject: RE: Obit: Steve Benbow (17 Nov 2006)
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Dec 06 - 07:50 AM

thanks for the paper obit links!!

Subject: RE: Obit: Steve Benbow (17 Nov 2006)
From: Scrump
Date: 04 Dec 06 - 08:00 AM

All part of the service GUEST. Gratuities accepted :-)

Subject: RE: Obit: Steve Benbow (17 Nov 2006)
From: GUEST,Nancy King at work
Date: 04 Dec 06 - 12:42 PM

Thanks for posting those obits, folks. As one of Steve Benbow's fans across the pond, I wouldn't get to see them otherwise. Quite a guy.

Nancy

Subject: RE: Obit: Steve Benbow (17 Nov 2006)
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 08 Dec 06 - 05:21 AM

Belated condolences from me also.(Been offline for 6 weeks). I saw the obit in the papers & was frustrated not to be able to join in Mudcat's celebration of Steve's life. Fond memories from radio in the 1950s to seeing him at Cabbage Patch skiffle session a couple of years ago.
"Another man done gone"

RtS

Subject: Obit: Steve Benbow (Nov17 2006)
From: Leadfingers
Date: 16 Nov 08 - 08:49 PM

Two years since Steve Benbow went to The BIG Jam Session ! Still missed !

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