Benny Troy

Benny Troy, born Benjamin LaManna, in Newark, New Jersey on February 17, 1947 discovered his love for R&B/Soul music at 12 years old. At eighteen years old Benny was spotted performing in New York City by Joey Dee, who asked Benny to join his group as a Starlighter. Benny, excited at the chance, accepted the invite and opportunity to tour as a member of Joey Dee and the Starlighter's. After touring for eighteen months, Benny’s love and preference in music always being R&B/Soul felt it was time to leave the Starlighter's to form his own group.

The Early Years
With his admiration for such legendary artists as Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Jackie Wilson, Sam & Dave, among many other great R&B soul singers, along with his passion for recording music, Benny seriously honed in on his craft, becoming a polished vocalist and entertainer. Forming his own nice piece R&B group called Benny Troy and Action, he began performing in well known hot spots throughout New Jersey, New York, Philadelphia, MA, and Delaware. Benny Troy was soon to be dubbed "The Blue Eyed Soul Brother" Benny's dreams were finally being realized when he was approached to record demo records at two well known clubs. One in New York City known as "The Wagon Wheel" and another popular club in New Jersey called the "Tin Lizzy".

Benny Troy the Artist, the Sound
It was in 1967 when Benny's (than) manager sent one of Benny's demo's to Dave Appell, who was on staff with 20th Century Fox in New York City, leaving Cameo Parkway Records in Philadelphia. Dave was asked to check out a singer by the name of Benny Troy. Liking what he heard on Benny’s demo, Dave went to see Benny perform live at the Wagon Wheel club in New York City. Dave was so impressed with Benny's vocal sound, he offered him a deal that very evening, signing Benny to the 20th Century Fox label. Dave set about cutting a track he wrote, “I Don’t Know You Anymore” backed with "Things Are Looking Better" The tracks made little noise in the US but, "I Don't Know You Anymore" became a cult favorite Internationally and still till this day is being played by radio DJ's throughout the UK and other European countries as well.

Benny Troy next teamed up with producer/songwriter Neil Goldberg. In 1970, Benny recorded Neil Goldberg's song "The Girl with San Francisco in Her Eyes". Benny and Neil's teaming persevered and were successful in landing a deal with Epic Records. Under the slightly different name of Ben E Troy, “I Miss You” was released on Epic in May of 1970. “I Miss You” again became another song being played regularly today by club and radio DJ's throughout Europe and especially the UK.

Benny, (while still recording songs) in the early 1970’s, was performing at a New Jersey club called The Tin Lizzy, when he was approached by another singer, song writer, producer, Billy Terrell. While performing at the same club, back to back, Billy Terrell began talking with Benny. They instantly hit it off. Quickly becoming close friends. Billy, whose partner Ray Dahrouge, wrote a song titled "Mama's Side of the Bed", asked Benny to record a demo of the song. The song impressed Mercury Records enough to sign Benny. In conjunction with arranger Joe Renzetti, they went into Mercury’s studio and recorded the song along with recording “I’ve Always Had You” Mercury didn’t have an interest in promoting “I’ve Always Had You” and soon thereafter, Billy presented the song to De-Lite Records who fell in love with it. “I’ve Always Had You”, clinched Benny a contract with De-Lite records. It became a chart buster for De-Lite and what soon followed was an album deal titled "Tearin Me to Pieces" On the album is a song titled "I Wanna Give You Tomorrow" It became a legendary hit song throughout Europe and the UK. It also became an underground hit being played in every major club in New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, Detroit, Canada and Europe. The record became a radio DJ favorite throughout Europe in the late 90’s. It is still going strong till this day on radio, clubs and events known as the Northern/Modern soul scene throughout the UK, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, China, Japan, India, the Netherlands, Austria, Australia, Greece and many other countries as well.

Today
Benny Troy, has enjoyed a successful career as an entertainer and recording artist not only in the US but Internationally more so, as his famed legendary hit tune "I Wanna Give You Tomorrow" off his "Tearin Me To Pieces" album has afforded him the wonderful opportunity of performing shows (frequently) throughout the UK, entertaining his devoted and loving fans. Benny Troy will tell you, his fans have become more then fans, they have become friends. He has a tremendous amount of respect, love and devotion for his "friends" in the UK, enjoying every opportunity of performing for them. Through his devoted following many other songs Benny Troy has recorded have become fan and DJ favorites. Benny Troy has truly embraced not only the people in the UK but their country as well, with their deep devoted love and appreciation for R&B/Modern/Northern Soul music, no matter the artists age, their respect and love for the artist and songs goes above and beyond what an artist could want or ask for. In his own words "They Are The Best, The Very Best" Italic text

Singles recorded
I Don't Know You Anymore - 20th Century Fox, The Girl with San Francisco in her Eyes - Epic, I Miss You - Epic, Mama's Side of the Bed - Mercury, I've Always Had You – De-Lite, I Wanna Give You Tomorrow – De-Lite, The Way I've Been - recorded 4/7/11 in London, UK- unsigned

Albums

 * Tearin' Me to Pieces (De-Lite) which Billboard compared to Frankie Valli, praising his "belting abilities"
 * Benny Troy (Sutra)

Television credits
Upbeat TV show Cleveland, OH, Clay Cole TV show, New York City, NY, Hi-Lit TV show Philadelphia, PA

Acts performed with
The Trammps, Vicki Sue Robinson, Tavares, France Joli, Musique, Crown Heights Affair, Frankie Avalon, just to name a few of many.

Acts opened for
David Brenner, Buster Pointdexter, Howie Mandel

Venues performed
Atlantic City, New Jersey- Trumps Castle, Trumps Taj Mahal, The Sands, Bally's, Cesar’s, The Showboat, The Claridge, Harrah's, The Golden Nugget

'Upstate New York Catskills'- Grossinger's and The Concord

'Pocono's, PA' - Mount Airy Lodge, Cesar’s Pocono Palace, Cove Haven, Paradise Stream, Fernwood, The Strickland’s

Great Britan (UK) shows from 2009 to present-

Prestatyn - North Wales, Greater Manchester -Oldham, Wakefield, Rotherham, Cambridge, London, Anglesey – North Wales, Darlaston, Stoke on Trent

Jingles - Radio and TV Eastern Airlines, Budweiser Beer, Schmitz Beer, Old Spice, Chevy Truck, John Hancock Insurance, Marlboro Cigarettes, Dial Soap and many more