Merv Benton
On the school holidays as a very young adolescent I worked at Hall’s Book Store near the corner of Bourke and Elizabeth Streets in the city. Back then a huge old fashioned State Saving Bank stood on the corner next to the book store. I remember going to the bank kiosk for cold orange drink which was served daily by a friendly middle-aged lady (who I became friendly with).
One particular afternoon, over the usual purchase I was introduced to one of bank employees. His name was Merv Benton and little did I know at the time but he was a big pop star and not the usual bank teller at all. He signed his picture postcard for me (and for my sister) which I coyly requested — I still have it.
Benton did especially well in his home town of Melbourne, where he had 15 charting records 1964–67, but retired from music after suffering disabling voice problems. ‘Cincinnati Fireball’ was his most successful single. His star may have long since faded but his music is alive and playing on, yes, YouTube.
