Benson: The Autobiography

I truly enjoyed learning all about George Benson’s life and legacy! I’d been a fan most of my life but didn’t know much about his background. I appreciate how he continuously pays homage - during every part of the book - to those who inspired him, those who mentored him, and those who he collaborated with. And I especially appreciate him as a man, who openly shared the good and not so good parts of his story.

I had the pleasure of meeting George when he played the Wendover, Utah Peppermill Concert Hall. Met him poolside and spent several hours conversing with him and learning about his past and his present activities other than performing. I found George to be a marvelous and very intriguing person who was more interested in my girlfriend and me instead of himself. There has to be an ego to accomplish all he has accomplished but it is totally under control. The book is truly enjoyable and shows the struggles of a poor kid, Little Georgie, growing up in the poorer area of Pittsburgh. You might think he had a lot of lucky breaks, but as a businessman and founder of several companies, I know that the only lucky breaks that exist are those that you create. It is an intriguing and amazing story about how George rose from a little kid with a hand made guitar to become one of the world's greatest guitarists. Enjoyable to read. Written as it would have delivered verbally by George. All in all, very enjoyable. His book is as intriguing as the man himself and I can say nothing other than "read it", particularly if you have aspirations to do something more in the future than you're doing at present. Ongoing drive and reaching for higher goals is defined in the book and are the basic rules of success. Thanks for inviting us backstage and the added pleasure of meeting your son and the rest of your crew. Thanks George for achieving the success you've achieved and bringing us music we've enjoyed for years and will continue to enjoy. Ray & Roxane

I have always been a big fan of George Benson. The Breezin' album is the sound that comes to mind when I think of college. I really enjoyed reading about George's beginnings in music. I got an education in "Jazz Cats" and although I have listened to those various artists over the years on jazz stations I knew very little about how they all connected. It was so fun to hear how my favorite songs came to be created. I added more of his songs to my ipod and I now go down the highway hearing his music surrounding me in my car and I hear it differently after reading his book. I listen for all the parts that helped to create his unique sound. Only disappointment was how little reference there was to family in the book.

I am enjoying reading this book. It gives this view that there is a lot of hard work involved in becoming undoubtedly one of the most copied guitarist. I especially liked that I have learned that hard work and sticktoiteveness is a vital component of any worthwhile undertaking and that you will undoubtedly take your hits along the way. As the name say it is an autobiography, and it does that well from George Benson's early years as a lad growing up impoverished and not realizing that he was impoverished. A scenario that a lot of us can identify with. The book also gave me a perspective on other musicians that are met along the way and how many of them contributed, some in major ways, others just positive, others negative, but all contributions that have let to the outcome in George Benson that we enjoy very much today and have been enjoying for many years. In the book he refers to a Gibson super 400 CES that he had bought for a thousand dollars and because of hard times had to pawn it for $72. He referred to it there as his boss Guitar and I wonder if that was the guitar that he had used on the album(CD) "The New Boss Guitar of George Benson". On the book cover he is seen holding a Gibson Super 400 CES, the name Gibson appears to have been dogged(Photoshopped) out of the picture, I wonder why that was done. Since the guitar was new, the name would have been clearly seen. We meet many of the greats even in passing in this book, very enjoyable reading.

This was an awesome book! Great stories about the music business and about his career. There are only two things wrong with this book: one, we're told almost nothing about his current family life (we hear an anecdote about a domestic problem with his wife at the start of his career, but it's not clear if he left her, if his current wife is this same woman or what; and two, he doesn't tell you how he gained his formidable technique. He did, however, drop a million dollar idea while he was talking (as he did in his instructional videotape). He's one of those people, like Oprah, that I'd like to hang out with for a weekend and just listen to him talk because he will eventually, like Oprah and others, casually hand you a million dollar idea (drop a jewel).

A friend of mine turned me on to George Benson when I was 18 the year his White Rabbit album came out. That record completely blew my mind. That day I walked away from Rock & Roll. George Benson is the reason I am a jazz guitarist to this day. I have spent my whole life trying to be half the guitar player that George is. Been to countless GB concerts and always walk away completely blown away. George is a super hero to me. I loved his book. I read it in 2 days. I could not put it down. I wish it was 2,000 pages instead of 200 but still a fantastic read. George is one of the last walking history books on jazz artists of the past. He tells his musical story in that wonderful 60's jazz lingo that makes it a joy to read. George worked with some pretty nasty cats in his career but always finds a way to say something positive about them. George is a very Godly man and I have found that all the greatest musicians have a close walk with the Lord. I meet Barney Kessel once and asked him how I could get better playing guitar and he told me to get close to God. The Lord certainly gave the world a great gift by the name of George Benson. If you are a George Benson fan (who isn't) get this book !!!! It is a real fun read. Thank you so much Mr.Benson.

I enjoyed every word from it. Benso’s life connects with the jazz history, guitar playing, music and people who love it all. Great book and easy to ready.

George Benson is one of the most famous jazz guiterists in the world. This book provides us with the life of George Benson. And Its content is easy to read. By the way, I used to go to the concerts to see the performance by George Benson in Nagoya.

Great read of one of the greats!

A must if you are a Benson fan. Great read

This book is a must have if you are a GB fan. It's like he's in the room talking to you like a regular guy from Pittsburgh. The stories are fantastic and just downright crazy at times. Again, just go buy the book. You won't regret it.