Benny and his Soul Serenaders featuring Gloria Brooks could be seen on Friday and Saturday nights at the Keystone (appearing on double bills with groups such as Tray & the Diamonds, the Betrayers), on Wednesdays and Sundays at Hoffman’s, and another stint at the Keystone on Wednesdays and Sundays in 1969 with the Inner Cyrkle.
The R&B group was house band at the Keystone Inn, Peppermint Lounge, and other local bars. A 1969 lineup included Benny Johnson (vocals), Marshall (guitar), Hoss (bass), Melvin (keyboards), and Marvin Hill (drums). Hoss was called away for military duty and bassist Tim Torba filled in him for six months. Torba later joined a re-formed Stratfords group called Some People’s Kids.
Also see – Johnson, Benny, Quintet
