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Brook Benton
Artist profile

Brook Benton

Brook Benton was born Benjamin Franklin Peay in Camden, South Carolina in 1928. He sang in church choirs before moving to New York City in the early 1950s,...

album34 lyric pages photo_library1 photo groups17 listeners here now Editor's note live
person Curated by Ethan Walker LyroVerse team
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My True Confession Video on page · 8 visits arrow_forward The Boll Weevil Video on page · 8 visits arrow_forward Hotel Happiness Video on page · 6 visits arrow_forward Baby (you've got what it takes) Video on page · 4 visits arrow_forward Do It Right Video on page · 4 visits arrow_forward Walk On The Wild Side Video on page · 4 visits arrow_forward
Editor's note

Brook Benton, the voice of Rainy Night in Georgia

A smooth baritone who turned soul ballads into quiet classics.

For the full picture, put on 'Rainy Night in Georgia' and then 'Hotel Happiness.' That's the range right there.

He had a way of making a song feel lived-in, not just performed. 'Rainy Night in Georgia' is the obvious example, that slow, damp atmosphere is still a radio staple. But listen to 'The Boll Weevil' or 'Hotel Happiness' and you hear a singer who could handle story-songs and upbeat pop with the same ease.

He started out singing in church choirs in South Carolina, then moved to New York and signed with Okeh in the 1950s. His first hit was 'Endlessly' in 1957, but the late '60s brought 'Rainy Night in Georgia,' which became his signature. He kept recording through the '70s, sometimes in duets like the one with Dinah Washington.

edit_note Ethan Walker · LyroVerse team · Apr 20
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LyroVerse editor's notes are short interpretation guides, not final verdicts. If something needs a correction, visit About or Contact.

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34 lyric pages live 1 photo available Editor's note live Video on page
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Brook Benton
Background notes

Archive material and source history

Brook Benton was born Benjamin Franklin Peay in Camden, South Carolina in 1928. He sang in church choirs before moving to New York City in the early 1950s, where he signed with Okeh Records and took the name Brook Benton. His first real success came in 1957 with 'Endlessly,' a ballad that reached the top of the R&B charts.

In 1969, Benton recorded 'Rainy Night in Georgia,' written by Tony Joe White. The song became his signature piece, a slow, atmospheric track that still gets regular radio play. Other songs like 'The Boll Weevil' and 'Hotel Happiness' showed his range across different styles of soul and pop.

Benton worked mostly as a solo artist, though he did record a duet with Dinah Washington called 'Baby, You've Got What It Takes.' He died in 1988 at age 59. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted him in 1999.

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Where should I start with Brook Benton on LyroVerse?

The Start here section opens with My True Confession, The Boll Weevil, and Hotel Happiness so you can move through the artist's stronger lyric pages first.

How many lyric pages are live for Brook Benton?

LyroVerse currently has 34 visible lyric pages for Brook Benton.

Does Brook Benton have photos on LyroVerse?

Yes. There are 1 photo available, and the preview gallery on this page links to the full photos section.

Does LyroVerse have an editor's note for Brook Benton?

Yes. The editor's note on this page is a short LyroVerse team guide, not a final verdict on the artist.

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