Merv Benton

Merv Benton (born Mervyn Bonson, 12 August 1942) was an Australian pop singer from the mid-1960s. His most popular singles were "Baby Let's Play House", "I Got Burned", "Yield Not to Temptation", "Don't Destroy Me" (all in 1965) and "You've Got What it Takes" (1966). For the 1966 Go-Set pop poll he was listed third most popular male vocalist. Australian musicologist, Ian McFarlane, described him as, "the epitome of the good-looking, clean-cut pop idol." In late 1966, Benton was diagnosed with laryngeal polyps; the resulting treatment and recovery curtailed his music career. He became a real estate agent, and later organised the building of child care centres both in Queensland (until 1990) and in Phoenix, Arizona after relocating there in 1991.

Biography

Merv Benton was born as Mervyn Bonson on 12 August 1942, in Melbourne. He grew up with his parents Edward Bonson, a manufacturer and Rae Bonson ( Hadlow) and a sibling. Benton attended Preston High School and left to work as a trainee bank clerk.

Benton started his singing career in October 1960 after a friend, Graeme Howie, entered him into a local talent quest.

Early in 1964, while still working at the bank, Benton completed demo recordings with Chester producing for W&G Records. For the recording, he was backed by the Tamlas, which comprised former band-mate Allen on bass guitar (ex-the Ramrods, the Planets) with Eddie Chappell on drums (ex-Checkmates), Charlie Gauld on guitar (ex-the Thunderbirds) and Noel Watson on guitar (ex-Tridents). Soon after the Tamlas line-up was Chappell, Les Stacpool, Ron Gilbey on guitar and Dennis Tucker on bass guitar (ex-Rondells). According to a contemporary newspaper, "[he] was advised to rest his voice for two months, but didn't because he 'didn't want to disappoint his fans'." De Courcy announced Benton's retirement in November 1966. Raffaele observed, "If [his] throat has in fact given up, I doubt if the musical world will grieve over much... I would willingly let him slip back into the Limbo which has claimed so many Australian rock singers." Michael Foster of The Canberra Times, noticed, "[he] has the roughness o£ tone which marks Johnny Cash and the same sincerity of approach."

Former bandmate Allen convinced Benton to record three vocal tracks for a five-track EP, Merv Benton with the Allstars (1986). The Allstars comprised Allen on bass guitar, Les Stacpool on guitar, Henry Bource on saxophone, Ron Chapman on drums and Murray Robertson on keyboards. As a real estate agent, he began to manage the building of child care centres. Benton migrated to the United States in 1991, he settled near Phoenix, Arizona and worked as consultant-manager of an American child care centre chain. As of 2003, Benton is married with four children.

Discography

Albums

Come on and Get Me (1964) – W&G Records Sounds Great (1965) – W&G Records Best of Merv Benton (compilation, 1966) – W&G Records Great Country Songs (Movin' On) (1970) – W&G Records The Fabulous Merv Benson (compilation, 1984) – Raven Records

Extended plays

Merv Benton's Hits (September 1964) – W&G Records Dollars and Dimes (May 1965) – W&G Records Rockin' Hot (January 1966) – W&G Records We Got Love (April 1966) – W&G Records More Merv Benton (August 1966) – W&G Records Merv Benton with the All Stars (1986) – Allstar Records

Singles

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