May 30, 2011, will mark the 1 year anniversary of the death of Washington, DC music icon Anthony “Little Benny” Harley who died suddenly after returning home from doing what he loved- performing with Chuck Brown. It has been a challenging year as Little Benny’s absence has not only changed the face of Go-Go, a genre of music created by Chuck Brown and the Soul Searchers, forever, but it is also apparent at the various shows with the bands that he played with. Affectionately referred to as “The Helicopter”, Harley had the ability to show up to perform at as many as three shows a night with different bands in different locations.
Harley was of the people and for the people and it was clearly demonstrated that day almost a year ago. Family, friends, and fans ranging from bus drivers, teachers, sanitation workers and police officers to the Mayor of Washington, DC, City Council members and the Godfather of Go-Go, Chuck Brown as well as other local celebrities were all in attendance as crowds lined the sidewalk in front of the DC Convention Center where Harley’s funeral, one of the largest in Washington, DC history, was held.
Harley’s long time best friend, band mate and collaborator, Mark “Godfather” Lawson, explains, “I really miss him being here. He was my brother.”
In tribute to his friend, Lawson has reached back and recruited some of the original members of Little Benny and the Masters, the band in which he and Harley were both a part of, as well as some of the legends of the Go-Go industry to form “All FaZes” who will play a tribute show marking the 1 year anniversary of Harley’s passing. The band will include Lawson, Mike Muse, Terry Lambert, Wendell Bacon, John Cabalou, Ted “Buzzy” Pindell, Quentin “Shorty Dud” Ivey, Rory “DC” Felton, Chris Johnson, Barry Talbert and many others. Harley’s son, Bryan Harley, will join the group and perform the vocals on his father’s signature song, “Cat in the Hat” and several others.
Bryan Harley shares, “It’s an honor to be doing this because my father was so important to a lot of people. It’s like I am trying to fill his shoes doing something positive. People watched me grow up from a little boy going to band practice and now carrying the torch for my dad.”
Lawson elaborates, “I wanted to get some people who were friends of Benny’s and show how we’re remembering Shorty (Harley), but we’ve got to let the pocket ride. We’re going to play all the music. We’re giving it back. We can share this with people and keep his memory alive. We are trying to mark a moment in history.”
James Funk, who was in several bands with Harley including Rare Essence and Proper Utensils, and who Lawson credits with, “sneaking Benny and I into the Masonic Temple to see Chuck (Brown)”, will be co-hosting the event with another former collaborator of Harley’s, Charles “Shorty Corleone” Garris.
The tribute show, Remembering Lil Benny, will be held Sunday night, May 29thfrom 9pm to 1am at Marygolds located at 8827 Annapolis Road, Lanham, MD. Tickets are available in advance for $20 online from gogoradio.com, over the phone or in person at Marygold’s (301) 440-1270 and at Shooter’s at 6500 Old Branch Avenue in Temple Hills (Ask for Chris). Tickets will also be available at the door for a slightly higher price.
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