Benny Benjamin

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  • Year:
    2003
  • Inducted by:
    Paul Shaffer
  • Category:
    Musical Excellence
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Introduction

The thumping heartbeat of Motown.

The Beatles admired him. Berry Gordy wouldn’t conduct sessions without him. Benny Benjamin was the impeccable pulse at the heart of the Motown empire.

Hall of Fame Essay

2003

Allan “Dr. Licks” Slutsky

May 27, 1964: It’s a Wednesday afternoon at Motown’s converted garage studio on 2648 West Grand Boulevard in Detroit. Cutting tracks for the Temptations is producer Norman Whitfield - young, ambitious, confident - a protégé of company head Berry Gordy.

But Whitfield is nothing without a hit, and he badly needs one. Looking for an undeniable intro, he focuses his attention on the far corner of the room, where master drummer William “Benny” Benjamin is poised behind an acoustic baffle waiting for the count-off. 

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Program Cover 2003
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the backbone of the sound of young America made you want to dance.
Paul Shaffer