Anyone know about Steve Benbow?

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Oct 21 - 07:49 PM

@JohnMacKenzie

The site isn't going to give you viruses by itself. It's a media-sharing site though I can't promise the upload is safe. Lots of experience with it.
\

---

Also works as https://www.mediafire.com/folder/atdc9m2u2jviw/Steve_Benbow and https://www.mediafire.com/folder/atdc9m2u2jviw/Steve_Benbow

They seem to work fine with the "https" designation, so I changed the links. -Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler
Date: 10 Oct 21 - 12:09 PM

Is Richard Benbow who used to gig in Somerset in 1980s-90s any relation?
He had an album called "I am a pilgrim".

Robin

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: GUEST,CMarshall
Date: 10 Oct 21 - 10:12 AM

Does anyone happen to know Steve’s kids names? I am a distant cousin, looking for relatives. Any help would be great!

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 05 Mar 17 - 10:50 AM

My antivirus blocked this site. Be careful.

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: GUEST,CJB
Date: 04 Mar 17 - 06:54 PM

My Kind of Folk featuring Steve Benbow and his Wapping version of 'Black Velvet Band' ...

https://www.mediafire.com/file/fr5upugpho0pdvq/0092C_MKF_9__01-05-1968.mp3

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: GUEST,CJB
Date: 13 Aug 16 - 02:38 PM

On London Folk Song Cellar 12A one of the clipped tracks at the end of our tape (a cassette turnover event) is Steve Benbow singing a rare London version of 'Black Velvet Band.'

It is available here for folks to copy down the words for Mudcat etc. There are FLAC and MP3 (192kbps) versions.

https://www.mediafire.com/folder/atdc9m2u2jviw/Steve_Benbow

CJB.

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: GUEST,CJB
Date: 13 Aug 16 - 02:34 PM

Thanks - just an update - I managed to digitise the song I was after - "Black Velvet Band" Wapping (East London version). The words are not recorded on Mudcat.

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: maeve
Date: 16 Sep 14 - 03:13 PM

Guest, CJB- Congratulations! I hope you enjoy it.

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: GUEST,CJB
Date: 15 Sep 14 - 03:59 PM

Thanks - I made an offer and purchased it. CJB.


Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: maeve
Date: 01 Sep 14 - 11:32 AM

Guest, CJB- A Steve Benbow "Black Velvet Band" version is available as a vintage LP on eBay right now, here http://www.ebay.com/itm/Steve-Benbow-Sings-I-Travel-The-World-CLP-1687-Mono-Vinyl-LP-Album-/390921505994?pt=UK_Records&hash=item I cannot tell from the information there whether this is the London Folk Song Cellar no. 12 Wadding version, however. Perhaps you will be able to ascertain if it's the correct one.

Maeve

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: The Sandman
Date: 13 Sep 14 - 01:36 PM

Iwould have liked to have met him, being another keepere of donkeys goats and chickens, he sounds like he was more craic than ewan macColl

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: GUEST,CJB
Date: 12 Sep 14 - 07:22 PM

[b]maeve[/b] - thank you for the alert re: eBay. This is good too because it names a potential LP and also gives a track list.

Meanwhile here is Steve's website:

https://web.archive.org/web/20070814061819/http://www.stevebenbow.btinternet.co.uk/

CJB

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 05 Sep 14 - 07:44 PM

The painting of Steve in The Tap is by Eric Underwood , using a Photo of Steve as a basis
Eric is also a fine singer and guitarist

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: maeve
Date: 01 Sep 14 - 11:32 AM

Guest, CJB- A Steve Benbow "Black Velvet Band" version is available as a vintage LP on eBay right now, here http://www.ebay.com/itm/Steve-Benbow-Sings-I-Travel-The-World-CLP-1687-Mono-Vinyl-LP-Album-/390921505994?pt=UK_Records&hash=item I cannot tell from the information there whether this is the London Folk Song Cellar no. 12 Wadding version, however. Perhaps you will be able to ascertain if it's the correct one.

Maeve

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: GUEST,CJB
Date: 01 Sep 14 - 11:04 AM

Now the thread is converged from two different threads there is more confusion. I am seeking a recording by Steve Benbow of the Black Velvet Band - Wapping / London version. If anyone knows of any please let me know. Thank you.

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 31 Aug 14 - 06:35 AM

PS a quick Google search shows record/CD titles on Amazon, CD Universe and MusicStack.


RtS

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 31 Aug 14 - 06:28 AM

I grew up listening to Steve Benbow on radio but only saw him live once at the final Skiffle Madness in Twickenham in February 2005. Pete Oliver ("SB's Protege" on Mudcat) played kajun rubboard in Steve's group on that occasion. I have the Don't Monkey with my gun CD, but don't know if any recordings are still available.

RtS

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: maeve
Date: 31 Aug 14 - 05:49 AM

I don't see a link to his obituary, so here it is:
****************
Obituary
Steve Benbow
Folk guitarist whose collaborators ranged from Ewan MacColl to Spike Milligan

    Derek Schofield            The Guardian, Thursday 30 November 2006        

Steve Benbow, one of the most sought-after guitar accompanists of the early years of the modern British folk revival, and also a fine singer, has died after a heart attack, aged 74. He made over 25 albums, and accompanied singers such as folk revival founders Ewan MacColl and AL Lloyd, as well as Rolf Harris and Long John Baldry (obituary, July 23 2005).

Benbow was an inspiration to younger players. Davy Graham, whose guitar style affected those of Eric Clapton and Paul Simon, credits him as a primary influence: Benbow introduced him to Moroccan music he had heard while in the forces. Graham told the Guardian last year: "What he taught me was that you should never get stuck in one mode or style."

Indeed Benbow was never aligned to any of the sub-genres of the folk revival. Neither a traditionalist nor a promoter of leftwing causes, primarily he was an entertainer, performing a range of music from blues to jazz to popular English and Irish folk songs. Striving for an easy-listening appeal, his repertoire became less suited to the increasingly sophisticated folk-music enthusiasts and he found it difficult to regain that audience.

Nevertheless, Benbow made his mark on a wider audience through radio and television, starting with the radio programme Guitar Club in 1957, followed by regular slots on Saturday Skiffle Club and later Easy Beat. His skill as a guitarist led to a Scottish television series, Plectrum, where he demonstrated his style to aspiring young musicians. In the early 60s he presented Have Guitar Will Travel on Radio Luxembourg, the only folk singer to have his own show. In 1963 he co-starred in a London stage show, Spike Milligan Meets Steve Benbow, at the old Lyric Theatre, which led to a television series the following year, Muses with Milligan. He also fronted the television series Barndance and for a while presented BBC radio's Housewives' Choice. George Martin produced a series of novelty singles for him and he wrote a regular column in Melody Maker.

Born in Tooting, south London, Benbow and his family moved to Surrey, where he attended Reigate grammar school. His first musical influences came from his father, who listened to Jimmie Rodgers and Latin American music.

After leaving school, Benbow was a cowman on a Devon farm before joining the Royal Army Veterinary Corps in 1950, which took him to Egypt. He started as a mule breaker and dog handler, but soon became an interpreter: he spoke Arabic, Italian, French, Greek and Mauritian Creole. During five years in the forces he learned to play the guitar, making his broadcasting debut as a singer on the Forces Radio Network.

Back home, Benbow embraced a London music scene that included skiffle, jazz and folk. He joined a traditional jazz band whose leader, Dave Kier, introduced him to Ewan MacColl; Benbow accompanied MacColl on records and to a youth festival in Moscow, where he met the City Ramblers. He later became a regular performer at Russell Quaye's Skiffle Cellar in Greek Street, London.

Benbow recorded two solo albums before forming the Steve Benbow Folk Four, including Jimmie MacGregor, who later teamed up with Robin Hall to perform regularly on Cliff Michelmore's television programme Tonight.

In 1960 Benbow appeared with others including Shirley Collins and Bob Copper on a trio of albums produced by Peter Kennedy of the English Folk Dance and Song Society for HMV: A Jug of Punch, Rocket Along and A Pinch of Salt. This led to the HMV releases of two of Steve's best-known albums: Steve Benbow Sings Admiral Benbow (the name of a well-known folk song) in 1962, and I Travel the World in 1963. He continued to record during the 60s, but rarely on labels that adequately promoted the albums. His 1966 album, Songs of Ireland, originally on Bulldog, is still available on the Smithsonian Folkways label in the US. After several more albums in the early 70s - one of them with his long-standing friend Denny Wright, who had been Lonnie Donegan's guitarist - Benbow largely retired.

He never lost his passion for music, and from 1988 played twice a week at the Brewery Tap in Brentford. A new recording, Don't Monkey With My Gun, was released in 2003, but he was reluctant to travel away from home to perform because of his large collection of animals, including goats, chickens and a donkey. For several years he suffered from heart problems, which in 2005 prevented him sharing a Londonconcert with Davy Graham. His wife Sandie survives him.

· Stephen George Benbow, singer and guitarist, born November 29 1931; died November 17 2006
http://www.theguardian.com/news/2006/dec/01/guardianobituaries.obituaries

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: maeve
Date: 31 Aug 14 - 05:45 AM

"...can anybody bring us up to date on how to get Steve Benbow recordings and information since his death?"

Joe, earlier in this thread I posted links to several albums listed now on eBay. I've also sent a PM to Mudcat member "Steve Benbow's protege" asking what a current source might be.

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 30 Aug 14 - 11:29 PM

Hi, CJB - I moved all of today's Steve Benbow messages to one thread. When you post similar messages to various threads on the same topic, it tends to confuse things and split the discussion. Next time, choose the one most appropriate thread on the subject, and post there.
Thanks.
-Joe Offer, Music Editor-

That being said, can anybody bring us up to date on how to get Steve Benbow recordings and information since his death? Steve died in 2006. The only Steve Benbow album album available in the U.S. is his Songs of Ireland from Smithsonian Folkways, but Spotify has another Benbow album titled Irish Folk Music.

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: GUEST,CJB
Date: 30 Aug 14 - 05:19 AM

Sorry clicky here:

thread.cfm?threadid=19899

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: GUEST,CJB
Date: 30 Aug 14 - 05:16 AM

The version of BVB is the Wapping / London version as detailed here:

http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=19899)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Old versions of Black Velvet Band
From: Richard Mellish
Date: 25 Sep 10 - 10:33 AM

I need to splice in the line:

"She was so tall and handsome and her neck it was just like a swan."

as sung by Steve Benbow.

Subject: RE: Steve Benbow
From: GUEST,CJB
Date: 30 Aug 14 - 05:09 AM

The version of Black Velvet Band that I am seeking is that at:

http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=19899)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Old versions of Black Velvet Band
From: Richard Mellish
Date: 25 Sep 10 - 10:33 AM

The missing line in Steve Benbow's London Folk Song Cellar no. 12 recording is:

"She was so tall and handsome and her neck it was just like a swan."

It is the Wapping / London version that Steve Benbow sings.

CJB

Subject: RE: Steve Benbow
From: GUEST,CJB
Date: 30 Aug 14 - 04:08 AM

More about Steve Benbow at:

thread.cfm?threadid=34106

Am trying to get a recording of Steve Benbow singing "Black Velvet Band." I have tried Amazon and iTunes. Is there a LP or CD with this on? Many thanks.

CJB

Subject: RE: STEVE BENBOW C.D
From: GUEST,CJB
Date: 30 Aug 14 - 03:38 AM

Sadly the website source for this CD has gone belly-up. Does anyone have an alternative source please?

http://www.clarebooks.co.uk/item1697.htm

CJB.

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: GUEST,CJB
Date: 29 Aug 14 - 02:29 PM

Programme 12 (1st half) - now available at:

https://www.firedrive.com/file/C0A9D7C3EA715905
https://www.firedrive.com/file/F88A51D9516453FE

The last song "Black Velvet Band" by Steve Benbow is truncated at the verse "Tripping Along The Highway." If anyone has this verse by Steve Benbow on an LP / CD please could they let me have this - to splice in. Its not on iTunes. Thank you.

CJB

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: GUEST,CJB
Date: 29 Aug 14 - 07:47 AM

Steve Benbow appeared on four London Folk Song Celler progs. (recorded at C#H) in the 1960s. These were 3 / 12 / 17 / 22. Thanks to Ross McClennan NZ for the loan of cassette tapes. Many thanks to Mitch Park of Radio Kidnappers NZ for cleaning up many of these.

Programme 3 - unavailable at present

Programme 12 (1st half) - unavailable at present, being processed, i.e. tape cleaned up, removal of hum, etc.

Programme 17 - is here

https://www.firedrive.com/file/B4487654C4F37681
https://www.firedrive.com/file/FB523F0923D77A51

Programme 22 - is here

https://www.firedrive.com/file/E3084B3D505ACC98
https://www.firedrive.com/file/6F77D8AF18E5E73F

CJB

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: maeve
Date: 26 Aug 14 - 10:17 AM

On eBay now:
Steve Benbow – Of Situations and Predicaments 1967 LP Decca LK 4881

Steve Benbow – The Amateur Whitewasher 1960 7" Parlophone R 4698

New Sealed Songs of Ireland ~ Steve Benbow ~ Reel to Reel Tape 3.75 IPS (I also see a LP and a cd version.)

STEVE BENBOW & DENNY WRIGHT-FRIENDLY FOLK LP

STEVE BENBOW ~ MAN WHO INVENTED BEER ~ 1961 UK 7" SINGLE ~ PARLOPHONE 45-R 4782

Steve Benbow and the Folk Choir – Little Red Donkey – LP Vinyl Record

7" VINYL SINGLE. Big Rock Candy Mountain by Steve Benbow. 1974. EMI. FP 10040

I see some compilation and guest appearance albums as well.

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: GUEST,Frank A
Date: 26 Aug 14 - 09:04 AM

I can recall many happy hours spent in "The Star" pub in Hooley (now, sadly demolished), in the late 50's/early 60's,with some mates, Ken Mitchell, Brian (Buddy)Budd - and others I regretfully do not remember their names, and listening to Steve Benbow singing "Don't ever get caught in the Mole Catcher's Trap". Happy days with beer at only 1/9d a pint!

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 13 Aug 14 - 06:17 PM

I know it was based on a photo of Steve - I'll make some enquiries after WHFF weekend

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 12 Aug 14 - 06:26 PM

Sorry - I couldn't say.

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 12 Aug 14 - 02:14 PM

Any idea who the painter was, henryp?

≈M≈

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 12 Aug 14 - 01:47 PM

I went into the Brewery Tap in Brentford at lunchtime today.

A painted portrait of Steve Benbow hangs in the bar.

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: Tug the Cox
Date: 20 Jul 11 - 08:36 PM

A great contribution to Shanty Album 'Blow Boys Blow' by MacColl and Lloyd.

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 20 Jul 11 - 03:15 AM

On his first recording of 'Arthur McBride ', Martin Carthy cited Steve Benbow as his source.

Dave H

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 19 Jul 11 - 08:56 PM

I met Steve when he was 'doing' The Fox in Hanwell , just off the canal , with Denny Wright . When the Fox changed hands after Denny died Steve moved to The Brewery Tap in Brentford , Jazz on Fridays and Folk on Sundays . Steve had to give up the Taxi work due to a dodgy heart , but carried on Gigging , despite a spell in Hospital
Steve 'did' the Friday gig , but was taken back into hospital on the Sunday morning , and died the following Fridae .
The Tap carries on , though a lot of the 'regulars' have now joined Steve at the Session Up There ! Diz Disley , Matt McGann and Don Partridge all turned up for a Jam with Steve now and then |!

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: GUEST,Keith, Croydon
Date: 19 Jul 11 - 06:00 PM

I used to go to Steve Benbow's folk club in South Croydon at The Swan and Sugarloaf pub, in the early sixties, I think in '63/64 because I distinctly remember a girl bravely attempting Dylan's Hard Rain's Gonna Fall. I had heard of him from his BBC radio show where he sang things like Abdul Abullbull Amir. There were some great talented travelling acts playing at Steve's club.
I also understand he played a role in teaching Davey Graham to play back in the fifties

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 18 Dec 10 - 10:26 AM

Hylda is a great lady, and still around. I believe she looked after Diz for a while, after he came out of hospital following his bypass op.

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 18 Dec 10 - 10:11 AM

One of the residencies of the Steve Benbow Folk Four was at the Skiffle Cellar {later just the Cellar Folk Club, then the Establishment [satire] Club run by Peter Cook (I think) where Lenny Bruce et al performed while in London], then the original offices of Private Eye magazine} in Greek Street, Soho, off Shaftesbury Avenue just behind the Palace Theatre. It was run by Hilda Symms & Russ Quaye, & they gave me my first paid gig [10 shillings!] in 1956. Jimmie MacGregor, Robin Hall, et al, played there regularly; & the resident anchor-group, as I say, were the Steve Benbow Four. I got acquainted with Steve thru regular attendance there, numerous floor spots & occasional paid gigs. But I lost track of him when I left London for Cambridge in 1963, & am glad that this thread has brought me, retrospectively, up to date. I did hear with great regret that Steve was dead; but had never heard of the later taxi-driver career, &c.

~Michael~

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: GUEST,Hootenanny
Date: 17 Dec 10 - 02:37 PM

Re Erich's post above,

I was involved in the negotiations with Monitor in the States for that album. I can check but off the top of my head I am pretty sure the year was 1964. The album cover shot was taken at Cecil Sharp House.

Hoot

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: tritoneman
Date: 17 Dec 10 - 12:28 PM

The first time I remember seeing Steve Benbow was when he and John Betjeman were regular guests on Spike Milligan's BBC 2 television show, Muses With Milligan, in the mid 1960's. I got to know him a few years later - he was 'doing the knowledge' i.e. training to be a London taxi driver at the time. During the late 60's and early 70's - apart from runnig a folk club in Norbury - he was doing regular folk club gigs with the great jazz guitarist, Denny Wright. The last time I saw Steve was in 1972 while doing a BBC radio Country Meets Folk recording at the Playhouse Theatre in London.

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: GUEST,Erich
Date: 17 Dec 10 - 07:35 AM

I forgot to mention that the very first Christy Moore - LP (Paddy on the Road) was arranged and conducted by Steve Benbow and he also played guitar as well.

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: GUEST,Erich
Date: 17 Dec 10 - 07:31 AM

I have an old vinyl called Songs of Ireland, Steve Benbow with the Strawberry Hill Boys (Steve Benbow: vocals, guitar; Denny Wright: guitar; Dave Cousins: banjo; Jack Fallon:bass; Strawberry Hill Boys (vocals). The Label is Monitor MFS 447. Track:
Side A
1. O'Reillys Daughter
2. Banks of the Roses
3. Bold Thady Quill
4. Little Beggarman
5. Mush Mush
6. Spanish Lady
7. I'm a Rambler
8. Holy Ground
Side B
1. The Irish Rover
2. She Moved through the Fair
3. Finnegan's Wake
4. Green grows the laurel
5. Brennan on the Moor
6. Hot Asphalt
7. Brian O'Linn
8. Wild Colonial Boy

There is no info about the recording or issue-date.

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: GUEST,Doc John
Date: 17 Dec 10 - 05:56 AM

...and there's a link from Wiki to his official home page, where this date of his death is repeated.

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: Gurney
Date: 16 Dec 10 - 07:56 PM

Wiki says that he died in 2006.

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 16 Dec 10 - 07:09 PM

Guest,steve benbow - You share the name of a VERY Talented man ! Good Luck !

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: GUEST,steve benbow
Date: 16 Dec 10 - 04:27 PM

I am steve benbow. I am a fire man from crewe and i live in sunny kidsgrove staffordshire

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: Nancy King
Date: 12 May 01 - 12:00 AM

Sad news indeed, harlow ivan. Thanks for letting us know. I sure hope his recordings get reissued at some point, 'cause he was a hell of a singer.

I did discover that Amazon.com is offering a CD titled "Songs of Ireland" by Steve Benbow and Strawberry Hill. Maybe I'll order that one too.

Cheers, Nancy

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 11 May 01 - 05:31 PM

Well at least this thread has ensured that his death got recorded on the Mudcat.

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: mousethief
Date: 11 May 01 - 03:58 PM

You're welcome, Nancy! Hope it all works out and you get the recording soon!

Alex

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: harlow ivan
Date: 11 May 01 - 03:31 PM

Sadly Steve died in February. I am trying to get in touch with someone who was playing with him early this year. More later.

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: GUEST,BigDaddy
Date: 11 May 01 - 01:28 AM

One of my first favorite recordings of "traditional" Irish folk was by this Englishman. Bought it in 1970. Had the good fortune to find it on CD in recent years as my vinyl copy was purloined in the late eighties. Everything from "Spanish Lady," to "Wild Colonial Boy," "Finnegan's Wake," and "She Moved Through The Fair." Can supply more info later after I dig it out of my collection at a decent hour. If anyone comes up with a mailing address for this fellow, please post it. I'd like to thank him. Cheers!

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: Nancy King
Date: 11 May 01 - 12:24 AM

Thanks, Alex! I think I just ordered it. I'll have to admit I found GEMM a bit confusing, but let's hope it works. Still interested in Benbow's other recordings if anyone knows where I can get 'em.

Cheers, Nancy

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: mousethief
Date: 10 May 01 - 04:57 PM

There is a copy of "Admiral Benbow" for sale right now on GEMM. Won't be there long, I don't imagine.

click here

Good luck!

Alex

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: GUEST,beachcomber
Date: 10 May 01 - 04:52 PM

My first memory of Steve Benbow was to hear him present "Housewife's choice!" on BBC Light Radio in the 50's I think or could it have been later? In any case I seem to remember a mid - morning time slot show and I believe Val Doonican also presented it from time to time before making it big in"Middle of the road" circles. I wonder, did Steve try to follow his career line without the same success? When I went to work in London in the 50's I was delighted to find an LP of his , yes it was "I Travel the World" and I still have it although I can no l;onger play it as my turntable has Packed Up. Reading of Jimmie McGregor, he and Robin Hall also vanishede from , at least, my ken around the 70's too as did Leon Rosselson and Shirley Bland. Should I start a new Thread to enquire for them. I met Jimmie at a Guitar workshop session one evening at Cecil Sharpe House. It must have been around '64 0r 65 ?

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: manitas_at_work
Date: 10 May 01 - 07:44 AM

Wasn't that the Fox or something similar down by the canal?

I used to go and see him there on Sunday lunchtimes.

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: GUEST,King Street Smith
Date: 10 May 01 - 07:16 AM

Steve Benbow performs from time time at a pub in Brentford, Middlesex, England - certainly within the last six months.

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: MikeofNorthumbria
Date: 10 May 01 - 06:40 AM

There's a good deal of information about Steve Benbow in 'Dazzling Stranger, 'Colin Harper's excellent new biography of Bert Jansch. (In fact the early part of Harper's book gives a very informative history of the British folk scene of the late '50s and early '60s, with perceptive pen-portraits of most of the major local figures. It also mentions several influential visitors from across the pond, like Peggy Seeger, Jack Elliot, Derrol Adams, Paul Simon, Jackson C Frank ... and that scruffy little fellow who got so indignant when he had to pay to get into the Troubadour, but in the end did quite a decent floor-spot ... Bobby something or other ...)

Bert, Davy Graham, and other virtuosi of that era always spoke very highly of Steve Benbow as a guitarist. He was certainly the first person I ever heard do claw-hammer picking (and one of the best at it). He knew his way around the jazz repertoire too - I remember him reducing the Troubadour to awestruck silence with a stunning version of Django's classic 'Nuages'. Harper's explanation for Steve's decline in popularity seems plausible enough. Allegedly, he tried hard to break into the larger, and more lucrative, middle-of-the-road, easy-listening market - and in the process, he watered down his repertoire so much that he lost credibility with the hard-core folkies. And so, when the easy listening records stopped selling, there was no road back into the folk scene for him. Hence (perhaps) the alternative career as a taxi-driver.

But if Steve is still around, someone should be recording him - even if his playing days are past, his reminiscences should be worth preserving.

Wassail!

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: Nancy King
Date: 09 May 01 - 09:53 PM

Wow! Thanks, Bugsy! and Roger, and McGrath, too. That's fascinating. "French, Italian, Arabic, Greek and Mauritian Creole"! Those tongue-in-cheek columns sound great, and I'd sure love to get copies of the recordings! Does anybody have any ideas how that might be accomplished? I'd be willing to pay for copies (LPs, dubbed cassettes, whatever...) of his albums if anybody has them.

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: MARINER
Date: 09 May 01 - 04:43 PM

Think you're right Roger. I seem to remember Steve Benbow on Skiffle Club, along with people like Bob Cort,Russell Quade's City Rambler's and the Avon City Skiffle Group, among many others

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 09 May 01 - 06:24 AM

Last I heard of him he was said to be driving a taxi in London. Of course that needn't mean he mightn't still be singing.

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler
Date: 09 May 01 - 04:48 AM

I'm another old geezer whose top end has gone (as defined in another thread on sound checks!)but who still remembers the Steve Benbow Folk Four on Guitar Club or Skiffle Club on BBC Light Programme in the late '50s early '60s. According to AllMusic Guide and Amazon UK he has a current CD (1993)of Irish songs out and AMG lists some appearances on other people's records as a guitarist, including a Bert Jansch tribute album.
RtS

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: Bugsy
Date: 09 May 01 - 03:54 AM

I remember Steve coming to our folk club "The Lions Den" in Stevenage Herts In the early 60's. I thought he was great.

Excite Music has this to say about him.

Steve Benbow

b. 29 November 1931, London, England. Benbow first became attracted to folk music during his teenage years, his first job at 16 was playing guitar at a concert party in Glasgow. Between 1950 and 1955, Benbow served in the army as an interpreter. His fluency in languages encompasses French, Italian, Arabic, Greek and Mauritian Creole. On his return to Britain, he started accompanying other singers until branching out on his own in 1957. UK television broadcasts followed, with Guitar Club in 1957, and continued with Saturday Skiffle Club and Easy Beat. As a result, Benbow gained his own television programme in Scotland, Plectrum , in which he demonstrated his guitar style by playing and singing. His recording debut, in 1957, was on the 77 record label, but he was soon signed by EMI. On Steve Benbow Sings, he was accompanied, on a number of tracks, by Jimmie MacGregor on mandolin and guitar. I Travel The World, is, as the title suggests, a collection of largely traditional songs from around the world. In addition to Benbow's folk career, he was also known in C&W circles. For a time he worked with the Steve Benbow Folk Four which included Jimmie MacGregor in the line-up. In the early 60s, Benbow presented his own show Have Guitar Will Travel, on Radio Luxembourg, the only folk singer to be given a show on the station. In 1963, Benbow was also involved in stage show Spike Milligan Meets Steve Benbow, at the old Lyric Theatre. This led to a television series with Milligan, called Muses With Milligan, in 1964. Benbow also wrote a regular column on folk music for Melody Maker during the 60s. The column was occasionally tongue-in-cheek towards many of the hypocritical attitudes pervading the folk scene. With changing trends, Benbow worked less on the folk circuit, and although many of his recordings are now deleted, his name is still referred to with affection on the scene. He still plays occasionally, but rarely in folk music circles.

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CHeers

Bugsy

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 09 May 01 - 03:13 AM

Spike Milligan once said of Steve Benbow, "They tell me he's a folksinger. I wonder what he does for a livivng?"

I remember him with affection, and I'd love to know what happened to him. I can remember whn I was about five or six having a vision of myself standing on the school stage singing "Blow the man down" (one of Steve's); I suppose that makes him my single biggest influence!

Yes, let's hear what happened to him.

Steve

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: Jimmy C
Date: 09 May 01 - 12:56 AM

I don't know a lot about him, He did a lot of singing in the late 50's and early 60's. I hope he is still around as he was quite good with a great repertoire. He recorded songs like " The Derby Ram" and " The Manchester Rambler". I believe I heard him the first time on an early TV show called "Hootenanny" or something similar. I would like to know if he recorded more than the one album you mention ?.

Subject: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: Nancy King
Date: 09 May 01 - 12:45 AM

Way back in 1962-63, when I was in college, one of my roommates spent her junior year abroad in England at the University of Leeds. One of the things she brought back with her was a record album by Steve Benbow, titled "Admiral Benbow." GREAT album! I must have learned at least a half-dozen songs from it -- an astonishing (for me, at least) number from a single album. I still sing 3 or 4 of them regularly.

But the only copy of the album I have is a cassette dubbed about 15 years ago from the reel-to-reel tape I made in 1963 with the mike from my Wollensak pointed at the record player. Not ideal, to say the least. I'd be interested to know if "Admiral Benbow" is still available, in any format.

I'd also be interested in knowing more about Steve Benbow. I don't even have whatever info was on Mary's album cover. Is Benbow still around? Are there other recordings?

Thanks! Nancy