Benny Benjamin
(July 25, 1925 - April 20, 1969)
Nick names: Papa Zita
Instruments: The studio drum-kit made up of Ludwig, Slingerland, Rogers, and Gretsch.
To quote Motown boss Berry Gordy, “I, like some of the other producers, would not do a session unless at least two of the Funk Brothers were present - namely, Benny Benjamin and James Jamerson.”
William "Benny" Benjamin was Motown's first drummer joining in 1958.He was one of the most respected of all the Funkbrothers at Motown and is credited with being the originator of the Motown drumbeat with his trademark dynamic drum fills and pickups.All of the later drummers at Hitsville acknowledged that what they were doing was a variation on his original style.
Benny's background was in jazz and the big bands that dated back to the 1940's.His jazz background gave the beats a "swing" like the rumbling tom-toms that can be heard on Going to A Go Go by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles.
Tragically his life was cut short by alcoholism and Heroin addiction.Benny died in 1969 aged 44.