Joe Bennett
Joe Bennett was a native of Spartanburg, South Carolina where he grew up in the Cannon’s Campground community and attended Cowpens High School. He developed a love for music at an early age and took private guitar lessons from the late Jerome Fowler who once taught the legendary Hank Garland. As a child, Bennett started a band called The Jamborettes.
In 1956, while still in high school, he formed the rock and roll band that came to be known as the Sparkletones, which is now enshrined in the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. The band members, ranging in age from 13 to 16 at the time the band was formed, included: Joe Bennett, the eldest of the group, on guitar, Wayne Arthur on bass, Howard “Sparky” Childress on guitar and Jimmy Denton on drums. In January 1957, Bob Cox, a talent scout for CBS, held auditions at the Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium, and The Sparkletones took first prize at the event. Convinced they would be a success, Cox quit CBS to manage the group and flew them out to New York City to sign with ABC-Paramount. Their big hit was the song “Black Slacks.” They toured, appeared on the “Ed Sullivan Show” and even met Elvis Presley.
Joe Bennett, the well-known leader of the Rockabilly group often billed as Joe Bennett and The Sparkletones, passed away on Saturday, 4 July 2015 at the Rainey Hospice House in Anderson, South Carolina at the age of 75. He had been suffering from complications related to Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia as a result of being exposed to the chemical Agent Orange while serving in the Air Force during the Vietnam War. Not only will he be remembered as the leader of the Sparkletones, but he will also be evoked for his work and passion as a teacher.
Follow Joe Bennett and The Sparkletones
Recent Posts
Brydon Brett Discusses the Future of Branson, Missouri, and What it Takes to Be Successful There
Brydon Brett is not a stranger to the stage or entertainment business. He was practically born on stage, although his first love was basketball. Some might say that he was a natural, being able to delight the audience with each performance. After returning home from...
Jason Lyle Black and Jonathan Estabrooks Perform Epic Disney Medley
There are probably not many people who do not have a favorite Disney movie that they have watched numerous times or a favorite Disney song that they find themselves singing along with whenever it is played. Disney has a unique way of capturing the hearts of people of...
David Archuleta Discovers His Own Voice
In the spring of 2012, world-renowned singer and entertainer, David Archuleta, made the heart-searching decision to put his successful music career on hold for two years as he left to go serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Chile...
David Archuleta’s “Postcards in the Sky”
On Friday, 20 October 2017, David Archuleta released his first full-length album since 2013. The album is called Postcards in the Sky. Unlike his past albums where he was often expected to convey songs written by other music artists, David’s new album is more...
Stephanie Madsen Celebrates True Meaning of Christmas with New Album Release
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, reminds us, “Christmas is a time for remembering the Son of God and renewing our determination to take upon us His name.” As we approach another...
Jennifer Thomas’ Magnificent Arrangement of “A Beautiful Storm”
This writer loves thunderstorms. That may seem a little odd to some people, but I enjoy listening to the roaring sounds of thunder, watching lightning dance across the sky, and listening to the gentle soothing sound of the rain as it falls. Not only are storms a...