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- Soul Hitmaker Behind One of the ‘Greatest’ 1974 R&B Chart-Toppers “Let’s Straighten It Out,” Dies at 86 (parade.com)
Benjamin “Benny” Latimore, the esteemed Southern soul-blues singer, pianist, and songwriter whose career spanned over five decades, has passed away at the age of 86.
Born in Charleston, Tennessee, in 1939, Latimore’s early life was shaped by country radio, Baptist hymns, and the rich sounds of Delta blues. He began his music career as a backing pianist for Florida bands, including Steve Alaimo’s group, before recording his first studio sessions around 1965 with Henry Stone’s Miami-based Dade label. His move to Glades Records in the early 1970s quickly brought success, highlighted by his 1973 R&B Top 30 hit, a reimagined version of T-Bone Walker’s “Stormy Monday,” followed by a gender-swapped cover of Gladys Knight’s “If You Were My Woman.”
Latimore’s signature song, “Let’s Straighten It Out,” reached the top of the R&B charts in 1974 and made its way onto the Billboard Hot 100, marking the pinnacle of his career. He continued this momentum with two more Top 10 R&B hits: “Keep the Home Fire Burnin’” in 1975 and “Somethin’ ‘Bout ‘Cha” in 1976, before his chart presence began to wane toward the end of the decade.
Undeterred, Latimore revitalized his career by signing with Malaco Records in 1982, releasing seven albums of contemporary blues over the next several years. After a brief period with J-Town Records in the mid-1990s, he returned to Malaco in 2000. Later, he recorded for Brittney Records and, in 2007, co-founded his own label, LatStone, with longtime collaborator Henry Stone-the same producer who had launched his career decades earlier.
Beyond his own recordings, Latimore remained a vital figure in Miami’s soul scene, contributing his piano talents to projects such as Joss Stone’s albums The Soul Sessions and Mind Body & Soul, alongside fellow Florida artists Betty Wright, Timmy Thomas, and Willie Hale. His career achievements were recognized with a 2017 induction into the Blues Hall of Fame, and he made a memorable television appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in 2014.
Benjamin Latimore’s enduring influence on Southern soul and blues music leaves a lasting legacy for generations to come.