Non-PF/Dead Show Reviews Archive 2004:
Bennie Smith Blues Benefit: 12/05/04 (St. Louis music community)
By John Lammie (Unclejohn) on Saturday, December 04, 2004 - 06:04 pm: Edit PostBennie Smith Blues Benefit
At 6 p.m. Sunday at BB's Jazz, Blues & Soups, 700 South Broadway, $10, 314-436-5222.
It's time for St. Louis' music community to lend a hand to local blues guitar player Bennie Smith. First, Smith suffered a heart attack a couple of months ago that left him hospitalized for two weeks. After he was released, his van was vandalized and his guitars, amplifiers and sound system stolen. This weekend, a benefit concert hopes to help Smith recover from some of his losses. Performing are Johnnie Johnson, the Urban Blues Express, the Soulard Blues Band, the Rich McDonough Blues Band, the Mighty Big Band, the Sportsmen, Leroy Pierson and a "special guest." Smith, considered the "dean of St. Louis electric guitarists," has played with Aretha Franklin, Little Milton, Oliver Sain, the Drifters, Albert King, Fontella Bass, Rufus Thomas and Ike & Tina Turner. John May of the St. Louis Blues Society says, "Bennie delivers St. Louis-style rhythm & blues. He is a treasure who still performs regularly with his own take on jazz and blues material ranging from Count Basie and Ray Charles to Jimi Hendrix."