Arthur Bernard Leaner, who was known professionally as Al Benson, was an American radio DJ, music promoter and record label owner in Chicago between the 1940s and 1960s.
12 Facts About Al Benson
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Al Benson was particularly significant for his promotion of rhythm and blues music and black involvement in the recording industry in Chicago.
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Al Benson learned tap dancing with his father's jazz band as a child, and worked in vaudeville shows before moving with his parents in 1923 to Chicago.
4.
Al Benson referred to himself on air as "the Old Swingmaster".
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Al Benson came on and played Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, and so forth and started to satisfy the people.
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Al Benson became popular among both local and national advertisers for his ability to sell the products that they were marketing, former WGES executive Elizabeth Hinzman describing him as "the greatest salesman that I have ever known".
7.
Al Benson encouraged younger black DJs to follow in his path.
8.
Al Benson became the owner of a newspaper, record shop, restaurant, and boutique, which all hired mostly African-American staff.
9.
Al Benson retired from broadcasting at WVON in 1963, and for a time returned to being a pastor while maintaining some of his business interests and moving to live in Three Oaks, Michigan.
10.
Al Benson died in Berrien Springs, Michigan, in 1978 at the age of 70.
11.
Al Benson had two surviving children, Arleta Leaner who took after her father and worked in radio and television and his youngest daughter, Bertina Leaner.
12.
Bands produced by Al Benson included The Parrots, the first group he produced; The Pelicans with "Aurelia" and "White Cliffs of Dover" ; and many others.