Little Benny (Anthony Harley)
September 26, 1963 – May 30, 2010
Anthony Harley was a much-respected Washington D.C. area trumpet player who, over the course of his career played a key role in the city’s funk and go-go scene. Better known as Little Benny, Harley came to prominence as part of Rare Essence during the early ’90s go-go scene which also included Trouble Funk and EU. Part of the funk family, go-go music adds congas, cowbells, whistles, and band/audience chant interaction. It was a style of music that was born in Washington DC, and Harley was a significant piece of its infancy. He eventually left Rare Essence to form his own group, Little Benny & The Masters, with whom he performed up until his death. On May 30, 2010, Anthony Harley, age 46, passed away in his sleep.
benny benny can we have some more rip
Wow can’t believe you are gone Benny. NOBODY I mean NOBODY got the crowd rocking like you Benny. You had me hooked from my first go-go I saw Rare Essence at the Panorama Room at 14 years old. I got punished that night cuz I didn’t wanna leave ya’ll were cranking that hard. lol I was telling my 11 year old there would be no TCB or CCB or Back Yard, etc. without Benny, RE, and Chuck. Ya’ll started it all and kept it going for all these years. Man I don’t even wanna go party anymore without you there trying to get me to come on stage with you. Because nobody did it like you Benny nobody ever will. That’s real talk. Gonna miss you boo.