Benny Spellman | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Born | Pensacola, Florida, U.S. | December 11, 1931
Died | June 3, 2011 Pensacola, Florida, U.S. | (aged 79)
Genres | R&B |
Occupation(s) | Singer |
Years active | 1960s |
Labels |
Minit Records Ace Records |
Benny Spellman (December 11, 1931 – June 3, 2011) [1] was an American R&B singer, [2] 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, [3] while "Fortune Teller" was later performed many other artists including The Who and The Rolling Stones. [4] Spellman variously worked with Toussaint, Earl King ("Trick Bag"), Huey "Piano" Smith, Ernie K-Doe, Wilson Pickett, The Neville Brothers and The O'Jays. [5]
Spellman was born in Pensacola, Florida. [5] He sang backing vocals on Ernie K-Doe's number one hit record, " Mother in Law". [4] He recorded a single, "Word Game", on Atlantic Records in 1965, but later semi-retired from music to work in the beer industry. [4]
In 1988, Collectables Records issued a retrospective album of 16 of Spellman's recordings from the 1960s. In 2009, he was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame. [5]
Spellman died of respiratory failure in June 2011, at the age of 79. [5]
Spellman was Catholic. [6] [7]
Benny Spellman | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Born | Pensacola, Florida, U.S. | December 11, 1931
Died | June 3, 2011 Pensacola, Florida, U.S. | (aged 79)
Genres | R&B |
Occupation(s) | Singer |
Years active | 1960s |
Labels |
Minit Records Ace Records |
Benny Spellman (December 11, 1931 – June 3, 2011) [1] was an American R&B singer, [2] 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, [3] while "Fortune Teller" was later performed many other artists including The Who and The Rolling Stones. [4] Spellman variously worked with Toussaint, Earl King ("Trick Bag"), Huey "Piano" Smith, Ernie K-Doe, Wilson Pickett, The Neville Brothers and The O'Jays. [5]
Spellman was born in Pensacola, Florida. [5] He sang backing vocals on Ernie K-Doe's number one hit record, " Mother in Law". [4] He recorded a single, "Word Game", on Atlantic Records in 1965, but later semi-retired from music to work in the beer industry. [4]
In 1988, Collectables Records issued a retrospective album of 16 of Spellman's recordings from the 1960s. In 2009, he was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame. [5]
Spellman died of respiratory failure in June 2011, at the age of 79. [5]
Spellman was Catholic. [6] [7]