BENN JOE ZEPPA

Born 1942, Liberal, Seward County, Kansas, of Italian descent (his full surname is Zeppanini), Benn Joe Zeppa was a child prodigy. His mother had always dreamed of being a popular singer, but family commitments (Benn was the first of seven children) made that dream impossible. Benn's mother spent all the time she could encouraging and developing his vocal talents, which were apparent at an early age. In the process, she spoiled him and Benn became arrogant and cocky. It was not until he reached military service age that he was able to break away from being "the songbird in the cage" who always had to live up to parental expectations. The Zeppanini family relocated from Kansas to Richmond, California when Benn was still very young. While attending Coronado High in Richmond, Benn was first exposed to rock 'n' roll, in the shape of "Rock Around the Clock". It altered his musical perspective and he played the record over and over until he could sing the song note for note. In 1955 at the age of 12, Benn caught the ears of Garrie and Clara Thompson, who became his managers and acted almost as surrogate parents to the youngster. Thompson brought Zeppa down to Hollywood in 1956 and hustled his act to all and sundry, not without success. Benn appeared on the Groucho Marx, Tennessee Ernie Ford and Mickey Mouse Club TV shows among other engagements. His school commitments were now divided between Richmond High and Le Conte Junior High in Hollywood. Garrie Thompson wanted Benn to cover Frankie Lymon's big hit "Why Do Fools Fall In Love", which was recorded in five takes in a large Hollywood studio. The Thompsons sold the recording to Tops Records, a dimestore cover label. It came out on an EP (the remaining three songs being by other artists) and attracted the attention of Art Rupe at Specialty, who gave Benn an audition. On April 19, 1956, Benn recorded "A Foolish Fool" and "Baby I Need (Ting-A-Ling)" at the tail end of a Lloyd Price session, backed by Lloyd's band minus the sax section. "A Foolish Fool" (written by Richard Berry) is a fine jumping rocker, but could have done with an instrumental break. Rupe released it on Specialty 577 in May, but as he was too preoccupied with Little Richard, the Zeppa record never got any promotion and didn't stand a chance. ...

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