Benny Spellman
Benny Spellman | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | December 11, 1931 Pensacola, Florida, U.S. |
| Died | June 3, 2011 (aged 79) Pensacola, Florida, U.S. |
| Genres | R&B |
| Occupation | Singer |
| Years active | 1960s |
| Labels |
|
Benny Spellman (December 11, 1931 – June 3, 2011)[2] was an American R&B singer,[3] he was best known for the 1962 single "Lipstick Traces (on a Cigarette)" and its B-side "Fortune Teller", both written by Allen Toussaint (credited as Naomi Neville).
"Lipstick Traces" reached #28 on the U.S. Billboard R&B singles chart and #80 on the Billboard Hot 100,[4] while "Fortune Teller" was later performed many other artists including The Who and The Rolling Stones.[5] Spellman variously worked with Toussaint, Earl King ("Trick Bag"), Huey "Piano" Smith, Ernie K-Doe, Wilson Pickett, The Neville Brothers and The O'Jays.[6]
Biography
Spellman was born in Pensacola, Florida.[6]
He took interest in football as a youth, but when he was attending Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, he started singing in Alvin Batiste's group.[7]
In 1959, he met Huey "Piano" Smith and the Clowns in Florida when they were on tour. The group was in an automobile accident wrecking their car, and Spellman offered to drive them back to New Orleans. Subsequently, Smith offered Spellman to sing in the group which made him decide he would remain in New Orleans.[7]
He sang backing vocals on Ernie K-Doe's number one hit record, "Mother in Law".[5] He recorded a single, "The Word Game", on Atlantic Records in 1965, but he retired from music in 1968 to work as a public relations executive for Miller Beer.[5][7]
He attempted to make a come back in the late 1980s, but it was cut short due to stroke he suffered, and he subsequently decided to move back to Pensacola.[7]
In 1988, British Charly R&B issued a retrospective album of 16 of Spellman's recordings from the 1960s. (It was later released by Collectables Records in the U.S.)[1] In 2009, he was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame.[6][7]
Spellman died of respiratory failure at an assisted living facility in Pensacola, Florida on June 2, 2011, at the age of 79.[8]
Personal life
Benny Spellman was the father of New Orleans singer/entertainer Judy Spellman, who died in July of 2016.[11]
Discography
Compilation albums
| Year | Album title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Fortune Teller | Charly R&B |
| 2012 | Fortune Teller | Shout! |
| n/a | Benny Spellman | Bandy (LP) |
Singles
| Year | Title (A-side, B-side) | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | "Life Is Too Short" b/w "Ammerette" |
Minit 606 |
| 1960 | "Darling, No Matter Where" b/w "I Didn't Know" |
Minit 613 |
| 1961 | "That's All I Ask Of You" b/w "Roll On Big Wheel" |
Ace 630 |
| 1962 | "Lipstick Traces (On A Cigarette)" b/w "Fortune Teller" |
Minit 644 |
| 1962 | "Every Now And Then" b/w "I'm In Love" |
Minit 652 |
| 1962 | "You Got To Get It" b/w "Stickin' Whicha' Baby" |
Minit 659 |
| 1963 | "Ammerette" b/w "Talk About Love" |
Minit 664 |
| 1964 | "Walk On Don't Cry" b/w "Please Mr. Genie" |
Watch 6332 |
| 1964 | "Someday They'll Understand" b/w "Slow Down Baby (Don't Drive Too Fast)" |
Watch 6336 |
| 1965 | "The Word Game" b/w "I Feel Good" |
Atlantic 45-2291 |
| 1966 | "It's For You" b/w "This Is For You My Love" |
Alon 9031 |
| 1967 | "Sinner Girl" b/w "If You Love Her" |
Sansu 462 |
| 1968 | "Foolish Man" b/w "Don't Give Up Love " |
Mor. Soul MO 007 |
References
- ^ a b c "Benny Spellman Discography: Vinyl, CDs, & More". Discogs. Retrieved 2025-07-17.
- ^ "R&B legend Benny Spellman dies". WWLTV Eyewitness News. 2011-06-05. Archived from the original on 2014-03-17. Retrieved 2014-03-17.
- ^ Du Noyer, Paul (2003). The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Music (1st ed.). Fulham, London: Flame Tree Publishing. p. 181. ISBN 1-904041-96-5.
- ^ Billboard, Allmusic
- ^ a b c Benny Spellman at Allmusic
- ^ a b c Thedeadrockstarsclub.com - accessed September 2011
- ^ a b c d e "Benny Spellman". Louisiana Hall Of Fame. Retrieved 2025-07-17.
- ^ Jeff Hannusch (2011-07-01). "Obituary: Benny Spellman (1931-2011)". Offbeat Magazine. Retrieved 2025-07-17.
- ^ Spera, Keith Spera (2011-06-06). "Benny Spellman, singer of 'Lipstick Traces' and 'Fortune Teller,' dies". Times Picayune. Retrieved 2020-12-03.
- ^ "View Benny Spellman's Obituary on nola.com and share memories". obits.nola.com. Retrieved 2020-12-03.
- ^ "JUDY SPELLMAN BRISCO of Jefferson, Louisiana 1955 - 2016 - Obituary". Dennis Funeral Home. Retrieved 2025-07-17.
External links