Bobby Benson’s son, Tony Lights Up O’jez Stage

The monthly Elders’ Forum highlife music revivalist event will on Sunday, July 30 feature Tony Benson, son of legendary highlife musician, Bobby Benson.

Put together by O’jez Entertainment and Evergreen Musical Company, the forum is designed to recognise musicians and other persons that have all contributed to Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage.

Bobby Benson was one Nigeria’s Godfather of highlife.

He provided effective apprenticeship for the first generation of highlife musicians, developed the scene and set the pace for its revolution.

He gave highlife music so much relevance in Nigeria and had many great musicians such as Victor Olaiya, Roy Chicago, Billy Friday, Zeal Onyia, Eddy Okonta, Baby Face Paul, Rex Lawson and a host of others under his wings in the early stages of their careers.

Bobby Benson was reputed to be the first highlife musician in Nigeria to own a club and hotel, which became the hub of entertainment for the elite in the 1950s.

Gentleman Bobby, as he was fondly called by fans and admirers, was also a comedian, magician and a showman.

His son Tony Benson has ensured that the family legacy does not fade away by remaining consistent in keeping the flame of highlife music alive.

At the sixth edition of Elder’s forum holding at the upscale Ojez Restaurant and Bar on Sunday, July 30, the younger Benson will be thrilling guests with the best tunes of highlife music of the 1960s and Bobby Benson will also be given a post-humus award for his role in musical entertainment in Nigeria.

Bobby Benson, a native of Ikorodu, Lagos State was born in 1921.

He died at the age of 62 years.

His songs like ‘Taxi Driver’, ‘Gentleman Bobby’, ‘Ewa’ among many others will remain evergreen and have been remixed by many budding Nigerian musicians.