Memories of Roger

This morning, we lost someone who exemplified what a gospel musician should be all about.

Former Cathedral Quartet pianist and current accompanist and leader of Legacy Five, Roger Bennett, finally lost his 12-year battle with leukemia and all the after effects of it.

Our loss is heaven's gain, though...there arguably wasn't a current gospel music personality who was more admired and respected by his peers and gospel music fans than Bennett. Despite his health struggles in recent years, Bennett seldom failed to exude the joy he felt in just being alive and in recording and performing songs about Jesus Christ.

Even prior to those health struggles, Bennett exuded that joy...one could tell by observing that he loved Jesus, and he loved to sing and play songs about Him.

And to those of us who are fans of the music, he was unfailingly funny, friendly, and courteous...everything you'd expect a gospel musician to be.

I wish I could say I knew Bennett well...I didn't. I was fortunate to meet and talk to him about a half dozen times in his all-too-short lifetime, and I enjoyed every moment I spent in his company.

My first, and longest experience with Bennett came in 1982 in Torrance, CA...at El Camino Junior College. Roger was with the Cathedrals at that time, and they and the Florida Boys were appearing at the final official gospel concert promoted by the renowned Polly Grimes, perhaps the pioneer promoter of gospel music in the Western United States

On this particular occasion, Grimes was selling many of the LPs in her extensive personal collection. Since I was an avid collector of gospel albums during that time, naturally my attention was riveted to the table where all those LPs were displayed.

Among the LPs for sale were virtually all the RCA albums released by the Statesmen and Blackwood Brothers, and many other classic gospel LPs issued by the groups that Grimes brought out to California on so many occasions.

I excitedly was rummaging through the rows of albums, trying to figure out which ones I'd buy on the limited funds I had on me that night.

I had some unexpected help in making up my mind on that...for rummaging just as eagerly through those albums was Bennett...and UNlike me, he had plenty of money on hand to buy whatever albums he wanted. I could tell that buying those albums meant a lot to Bennett, and as he drew nearer to me, I slowly backed away, knowing that it was more important for Roger to have those albums that night than me.

Noticing me, Bennett asked me if I was looking at any particular albums. I told him I wasn't, and that even if I was, that I didn't have enough money to buy what I wanted anyway, so he could grab anything he wanted.

I got the distinct impression that if I'd told him I wanted a particular album there, he would have relented and let me buy it....as badly as he wanted those albums, he could recognize someone else that loved the music as much as he did, and if so, he would not have stood in the way of making another gospel music fan happy...that seemed to be his feeling about ALL the fans who were there to see him that night.

As far as I know, Bennett bought just about every album there...he was happy, and I was happy for him. I came away with a very positive impression of a very fine young man. For just like Bennett, I couldn't stand in the way of another person who shared my love of gospel music....and I remain convinced that he ould ahve done the same for me.

I didn't see Bennett in person again until two years ago, when he appeared at the Great Western Southern Gospel Fan Festival here in Fresno with Legacy Five. Actually, I didn't SEE him...I HEARD him...for he was staying home as a result of his chemo treatment at that time. He wa on the phone, and the conversation was picked up by the PA system. The phone call and the news Bennett shared about his health that night seemed to energize Legacy Five to a higher level...after that phone call, Legacy Five put on an especially inspired performance. Clearly the guys in the quartet loved Bennett, and were encouraged and determined to do their best with him in mind, in his absence.

The following year, I DID see Bennett, with a shaved head as a result of his chemotherapy, and on that night, he played and sang with Legacy Five with unusual energy. His performance was so electrifying, joyful, and captivating, he again pushed Legacy Five to a new energy level. He no doubt inspired many in the audience that night, and I KNOW he inspired me!

That was the thing about Bennett...despite all the discomfort and frustration he HAD to feel at his health situation, he never seemed to allow any of it to dampen his joy and hope. Through his writings in the Singing News and online, to his onstage performances, to his interaction with his many fans and friends in concerts, Bennett was always an inspiration and blessing to anyone and everyone who came in contact with him. No self-pity for Roger Bennett...no way!!

It would have been understandable for Bennett to slip now and then, and let his guard down, and reveal the tensions and frustrations he had to have felt during that time. But, as far as I know, he never did. That trait of his alone will always be an example and goal for me, to show the joy, love, and compassion to others that Roger Bennett consistnely showed, despite the obstacles he faced. Though nearly a year younger than I, he was an example and model for me as a believer in Christ.

And needless to say, Bennett was quite a musician. While not the flashiest pinaist in gospel music, he was certainly among the most technically accomplished...and he was also an inspiring singer as well. To this day, I am inspired every time I hear "When The World Looks At Me" and "Don't Be Afraid". In addition, he was a true "quartet man", in every sense of that expression.

Roger Bennett was a man who believed what he sang and played, and lived it as well. He has provided us all with many fond memories of musical excellence, Christian style...and I look forward to scouring record bins again with him, on the other side of this life.

Here's to you, Roger Bennett....

Page 1 of 1 pages

Comments

Add Comments

Name:

Email:

Location:

URL:

Please enter the word you see in the image below:

* Note: Members of Southern Gospel News.com who are logged in do not have to fill in the above information each time they post

By posting you agree to our Comments Policy

Remember my personal information

Notify me of follow-up comments?