Who was Bobby Benson?
Bernard Olabinjo Benson, popularly known as Bobby Benson, was a famous Nigerian artist and musician from the 1950s until his death in 1983. He was born on April 11, 1922 in Ikorodu, Lagos State.
He learned to sew in high school and tried professional boxing for a while after graduating. He was also a merchant marine sailor.
If Bobby Benson’s “Taxi Driver” plays on your stereo as you frantically scan radio stations for traffic information on a hot Monday afternoon in Lagos, you’d be forgiven for not switching quickly.
Before you read further, listen to some Bobby Benson songs below.
Gentleman Bobby
Taxi Driver (I Don’t Care)
Okokoko (Nigeria)
In 1944, Benson gave up his sailing career in London, where he made his debut as a performer with the Negro Ballet and toured several European capitals.
He met his wife Cassandra (of half-Scottish, half-West Indian descent) in Britain and upon his return to Nigeria in 1947 they founded the Bobby Benson and Cassandra Theater Party. He initially played standard big band music but later introduced African themes as a pioneer of highlife music in Nigeria. His song “Taxi Driver” became a classic hit in West Africa, covered by many other musicians, combining Caribbean and jazz styles. Other hits include “Gentleman Bobby” and “Iyawo se wo loss mi”, “Mafe”, “Nylon Dress” and “Niger Mambo”.
Before Dapo “D’banj” Oyebanjo was nicknamed “The Entertainer” in the early and late 2000s, Bobby Benson was considered music’s greatest showman.
He deserved to be called a singer, actor, performer and artist in general. His cheerful nature earned him a gig with the NTA in the 1970s, where he performed as a stand-up comedian and magician and also sang.
Benson became the first president of the Association of Nigerian Musicians when it was founded in 1960. He died in Lagos on May 14, 1983, aged 62. He had up to 10 children.
Even though the highlife music genre is struggling to gain popularity among the younger generation, Bobby Benson’s name will forever be etched on the walls of the Nigerian entertainment industry.
Thanks for reading.