Relive the unforgettable moment jazz legend George Benson visited South Africa
Updated | By Poelano Malema
As Jazz Master George Benson turns 80 today, we look back at the moment he serenaded his South African fans with a live performance in Johannesburg.
![George Benson Instagram](https://turntable.kagiso.io/images/George_Benson_Instagram.width-800.jpg)
Happy birthday to Jazz Master George Benson.
The 'Affirmation' hitmaker was born on March 22, 1943, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Often described as the greatest jazz guitarist of all time, the star rose to fame in the 1960s.
He is a vocalist and songwriter in addition to being a guitarist, and he performs music in the jazz, R&B, and gospel genres.
Benson's love for music was evident from a young age.
READ: Neil Sedaka's successful music career
According to All Music website, Benson started performing professionally at the age of eight before forming a rock band at 17 while using a guitar that his stepfather made for him.
In the 1970s, his 'This Masquerade' song hit No. 10 on Billboard's Hot 100. The song also won him his first Grammy award for 'Record Of The Year'.
To date, he has won ten Grammy awards.
In 2008, he got inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
As an artist whose music has seen him travel the world, South Africa was blessed to have him visit the country.
He performed in Cape Town and Johannesburg in June 2016.
See how his performance went in the videos below.
More From East Coast Gold
Image courtesy of YouTube screenshot.
For loads of fantastic 60s, 70s, and 80s classics, listen to East Coast Gold via the ECR app or here. We’re also on platforms like Alexa (just enable the ‘East Coast Gold’ skill), MyTuner, Radio Garden, iono.fm, Radioline, and OpenRadio.
Who's on-air when?
See the full line-up by clicking here.
Show's Stories
-
British teen shows off too soon at European Champs
Herein lies a classic life lesson: Don't take anything for granted...
Stacey & J Sbu 16 hours ago -
The truth behind the viral 'bed rotting' trend
What it means to be a bed rotter...
Stacey & J Sbu 18 hours ago