By George!

I was especially pleased to see the article giving props to George Benson, incredible musician, vocalist, scat singer and, of course, guitarist [April 2021]. I managed the guitar department at a music store near where he lived in New Jersey. He’d pop in from time to time, was unassuming, friendly and a total gentleman, always impeccably dressed. He’d grab a guitar, we’d plug him into something. He would play for us, hang out for a bit and tell stories. A pleasure to be around. I finally got enough courage to ask: “George, my band in college did a hack job cover of ‘Affirmation,’ and I totally butchered the intro. Do you remember it?” He looked at me for a second, then played it perfectly, as clear and beautiful as on the recording. I had goose bumps.

Another time he came in, handed his guitar case to one of the young sales guys and went into the sheet-music department. The kid came running up to me. “George Benson gave me his guitar and said to check it out. I don’t know what’s wrong with it! I don’t want to touch it! He’s your customer!” I opened the case, checked it over, and as I was about to plug it in to check the electronics, George came back in: “So what do you think?” I said, “Nothing seems wrong with this.” “No, there’s nothing wrong,” he said. “It’s an Ibanez prototype. I wanted you guys to check it out.” So cool. I am fortunate to have met him. Thanks for bringing back those special memories. Now excuse me while I go butcher that intro again.

—J. WANG ERIN