Benny Bell
b. New York City, New York, USA. Bell was determined to make a career in music, even though his father wanted him to become a rabbi. During the 40s he wrote songs for juke-boxes in cocktail bars because their location gave him the opportunity to indulge his talent for risqu lyrics. His first song to be noticed was "Take A Ship For Yourself". This was followed in 1946 by "Shaving Cream", with a vocal by Paul Wynn, which became a cult hit. At the time its notoriety ruled out airplay, but in 1975 a New York radio station played the record, prefaced with the warning: "If you have children in the room, or if you are particularly sensitive to a dangerously naughty record, you should leave the room or switch stations immediately." Naturally, the audience's interest was aroused and the record, which had been sleeping peacefully for almost 30 years, made the US Top 30 singles chart.
Listen to Benny Bell
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Top Tracks
- Shaving Cream
- Everybody Wants My Fanny
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