William "Benny" Benjamin (July 25, 1925 - April 20, 1969), nicknamed Papa Zita, was an African American musician, most notable as the main drummer for the Motown studio band known as The Funk Brothers. He was a native of Birmingham, Alabama. July 25 is the 206th day (207th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 159 days remaining. ... 1925 (MCMXXV) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar). ... April 20 is the 110th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (111th in leap years). ... 1969 (MCMLXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1969 calendar). ... An African American (also Afro-American, Black American, or simply black), is a member of an ethnic group in the United States whose ancestors, usually in predominant part, were indigenous to Africa. ... Motown Records, Inc. ... The Funk Brothers were a group of Detroit musicians who were the house band at Detroits Motown Records from 1959 to 1972, when the company moved to Los Angeles. ... Flag Seal Nickname: The Magic City, Pittsburgh of the South, BHam, The Ham Location Location in Jefferson County in the state of Alabama Coordinates , Government Country State County United States Alabama Jefferson County Mayor Bernard Kincaid (D) Geographical characteristics Area     City 151. ...

Motown's first studio drummer, Benny Benjamin was noted for his dynamic style. Several Motown record producers, including Berry Gordy, refused to work on sessions unless Benjamin was the drummer and James Jamerson was the bassist. [1]. Among the Motown songs Benjamin performed the drum tracks for are early hits such as "Money (That's What I Want)" by Barrett Strong, "Shop Around" by The Miracles, and "Do You Love Me" by The Contours; as well as later hits such as "Get Ready" by The Temptations, "Uptight (Everything's Alright)" by Stevie Wonder, and "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" by Gladys Knight & the Pips. In the music industry, record producer designates a person responsible for completing a master recording so that it is fit for release. ... Berry Gordy, Jr. ... James Jamerson (c. ... Martin EB18 Bass Guitar in flight case The electric bass guitar (also called electric bass or simply bass) is an electrically amplified plucked string instrument. ... Money (Thats What I Want) is a 1959 hit single by Barrett Strong for the Tamla label, distributed by Anna Records. ... Barrett Strong (born February 5, 1941 in West Point, Mississippi) is an African-American singer and songwriter. ... Shop Around is a 1960 single by The Miracles (credited as The Miracles featuring Bill Smokey Robinson) for the Tamla (Motown) label. ... The Miracles (known from 1965 to 1972 as Smokey Robinson & the Miracles) are an American R&B/soul group from Detroit, Michigan, notable as the first successful group act for Berry Gordys Motown Records. ... The Contours was a soul singing group on the Motown label during the 1960s. ... This article is about the 1966 Temptations song. ... The Temptations (also abbreviated as The Tempts or The Temps) are an American Motown singing group whose repertoire has included doo-wop, soul, psychedelia, funk, disco, R&B, and adult contemporary. ... Uptight (Everythings Alright) is a 1965 hit single recorded by Stevie Wonder for the Tamla (Motown) label. ... Stevie Wonder is the stage name of Stevland Morris (born May 13, 1950 as Stevland Judkins[1]), an American singer, songwriter, producer, musician, and social activist. ... I Heard It Through the Grapevine is an R&B/soul song written by Motown songwriters Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong in 1967. ... The Pips redirects here. ...

Benjamin was notorious for being late to work, and also for creating highly fabricated and humorous stories for why he was late. Once caught sleeping at his drumkit by a Motown producer, Benjamin snapped awake and began drumming and calling out "Papa-zita, papa-zita, papa-zita," which is how he earned his nickname.

By the late-1960s, Benjamin struggled with drug and alcohol addiction, and fellow Funk Brothers Uriel Jones and Richard “Pistol” Allen performed more of the drum tracks for the studio's releases. Benny Benjamin died in 1969 of a stroke, and was inducted into the "Sidemen" category of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004. The outrageously crowded Woodstock festival epitomized the popular antiwar movement of the 60s. ... 1969 (MCMLXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1969 calendar). ... The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at sunset. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

References

• Justman, Paul (Director). (2002) Standing in the Shadows of Motown [Motion picture]. New York: Artisan Entertainment.