MERV BENTON

Born Merv Bonson in Preston Victoria on 12th August 1942. His first lucky break came when he won a talent quest and being introduced to promoter Brian De Courcy who got him a 10-shilling night job at Mentone City Hall. De Courcy was so impressed that he became Benton's personal manager. This in turn lead to Benton becoming the vocalist with The Ramrods, a group led by Ian B Allen, and which resulted in appearances at venues such as Whittlesea Hall and the Preston Migrant Centre. Sensing the potential talent that was Merv Benton, W&G Records invited him to make a demo recording for the company. This was produced by Johnny Chester and in the studio was the late Stan Rofe, a man who as a leading disc jockey was instrumental in spearheading rock 'n' roll into Australia, especially helping the home-grown talent to realize their dreams. Backed up by The Chessmen, Merv laid down his versions of ''Baby Let's Play House'' and ''Endless Sleep' in 1964 which charted locally at #17.

Merv became one of their most prolific artists, releasing seventeen singles, six EPs, and three LPs between 1964 and 1967, and scoring an impressive run of fifteen Top 40 singles in his hometown of Melbourne (several of which also charted in other cities). Merv made many appearances on TV shows like Sing, Sing, Sing, In Melbourne Tonight, Casual Club and The Go!! Show. He toured the country nationally and he supported Billy J Kramer on his tour of Australia and New Zealand and Screaming Lord Sutch's tour in 1964 plus Cilla Black and Freddie and The Dreamers in 1965. However, in 1967, at the height of his popularity, Merv was struck down by throat problems that ended his career. With the end of his show business career, Merv returned to work with the State Savings Bank of Victoria in their public relations department. However, he began to feel stifled and frustrated with bureaucracy, so, he relocated to Queensland in 1969 and set up his own real estate development business. 

However, Merv did make some final recordings for W&G after recovering from his throat problems. Accompanied by Melbourne group The Fendermen, he returned to the studio in 1970 to cut a number of country tunes that were released on the album 'Great Country Songs (Movin' On)'. This is now something of a rarity, but several tracks were included on the Canetoad CD compilation 'Great Shakin' Fever'. In the early 1980s Merv returned to the recording studio after he was approached by his old friend Ian B. Allen to perform again in Melbourne. Merv agreed when he found out that the backing band, The Allstars, included Les Stacpool on guitar, Henri Bource on sax and Murray Robertson on keyboards (both ex Thunderbirds), Ron Chapman on drums and Ian on bass. This group recorded a five-track EP, 'Merv Benton And The All Stars' (1986) with Merv singing on three of the cuts.

In 1991, Merv migrated to the USA and became a consultant and manager for the American Child Care Centres chain. However, he has made occasional live musical appearances and in the early 2000s he has returned to Melbourne from his new home near Phoenix, Arizona Australia to perform at an annual Sixties concert.

SINGLES

''Baby, Let's Play House (#47) / Endless Sleep'' 1964 W&G

''Nervous Breakdown (#67) / Doncha' Think It's Time'' 1964 W&G
''You're The Dog / Be Sweet'' (#52) 1964 W&G
''(I Do The) Shimmy Shimmy / Come On And Get Me'' (#65) 1964 W&G
''It's Love Baby (#70) / Goodnight Irene'' 1965 W&G
''Cincinatti Fireball (#18) / I Got Burned'' 1965 W&G
''Don't Destroy Me (#34) / Can I Believe It's True'' 1965 W&G
''(I Do The) Shimmy Shimmy '65 (#56) / Baby Let's Play House'' 1965 W&G
'' Sell My Soul / We Got Love'' (#50) 1965 W&G
''Yield Not To Temptation (#29) / Twenty Flight Rock'' 1965 W&G
''You Got What It Takes (#45) / Shake Rattle And Roll'' 1966 W&G
''The Worryin' Kind (#47) / Big Jack'' 1966 W&G
''I'll Go Crazy (#82) / It Hurts Me'' 1966 W&G
''King Of Love / Who'll Be The Next In Line'' (#94) 1966 W&G
''Too Many Fish In The Sea / You Didn't Have To Be So Nice'' 1967 W&G
''Lovin' Up A Storm / Come On Up'' 1967 W&G
''Bonaparte's Retreat / Do It Again A Little Bit Slower'' (#76) 1967 W&G

EPs

'Merv Benton's Hits!' 1964 W&G
'Dollars & Dimes' 1965 W&G
'Rockin' Hot!!' 1966 W&G
'We Got Love!' 1966 W&G
'More Merv Benton' 1966 W&G

'Merv Benton and The All Stars 1986

ALBUMS
'Sounds Great! 1964 W&G

'Come On And Get Me' 1964 W&G

'Great Country Songs' 1970 W&G

References

http://www.milesago.com/artists/benton.htm

http://top100singles.blogspot.com.au/