Benny Mardones
Encyclopedia
Benny Mardones is an American pop singer and songwriter who is best known for his hit single "Into the Night
", which hit the Top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100
chart twice, in 1980 and again in 1989.
signed Mardones and he recorded "Into the Night '89." The track appeared on his self-titled release (known as the "Blue Album" by his fans.) Not long after that, Mardones appeared on a Showtime tribute to Roy Orbison
, alongside such luminaries as Bob Dylan
, John Fogerty
, Johnny Cash
and k.d. lang
. Elvis Presley
's band was the house band for the evening. When Mardones came on stage to sing "Running Scared," few people knew his name, but when he finished the song, he received a standing ovation.
Even though his lone hit charted twice, Mardones is still considered a "one-hit wonder
." He continues to have a substantial fan following in Syracuse, New York
with his band called the Hurricanes.
Mardones began his career as a songwriter. He has written songs for people like Brenda Lee and Chubby Checker. He used to demo the songs he wrote and Tommy Motola suggested that he record his own songs.
Since that time he has written and recorded over 100 songs.
, a radio station in Arizona
, ran a segment titled "Where Are They Now?" The most popular question was "Whatever happened to the guy who sang 'Into the Night'?" Scott Shannon
, then program director for Pirate Radio
in Los Angeles
, added "Into the Night" to its playlist. Radio stations across the country followed suit and "Into the Night" was once again a hit.
Mardones was 33 years old when the song became a hit for the first time and he still lives quite well on the royalties received from this song that was also a hit in 1989.
, but raised in Savage, Maryland
. His father, Ruben Mardones, was from Santiago, Chile.
In 1980, despite his professional success, Benny's personal life was at an all time low. He found himself battling the demons of drug addiction, and discontinued all concert performances, recordings, and appearances.
Benny disappeared everywhere - everywhere, that is, but Syracuse, New York
. With the help of fans like Tommy Nast, then program director at local station 94 Rock, Benny's music was constantly on the air in Syracuse.
When his son Michael was born in 1985, Benny knew he had to quit using drugs so he could raise his son. Benny settled in upstate New York
in an attempt to get his life in order.
To this day, Benny remains a superstar in Syracuse. His shows have become regular events, and his fan base continues to grow. Benny is now the subject of an award documentary movie entitled "Into The Night: The Benny Mardones Story" that was finally released on DVD in the fall of 2008 with lots of bonus and live footage.
Benny was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2000. Despite his illness, he still continues to perform live. He and his wife, Jane, currently reside in Playa del Rey, California.
Into the Night (Benny Mardones song)
"Into the Night" is a 1980 song by American pop singer-songwriter Benny Mardones, from his album Never Run, Never Hide, and re-released in 1989....
", which hit the Top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
chart twice, in 1980 and again in 1989.
Career
Due to the success of "Into the Night," Curb RecordsCurb Records
Curb Records is a record label started by Mike Curb originally as Sidewalk Records in 1963...
signed Mardones and he recorded "Into the Night '89." The track appeared on his self-titled release (known as the "Blue Album" by his fans.) Not long after that, Mardones appeared on a Showtime tribute to Roy Orbison
Roy Orbison
Roy Kelton Orbison was an American singer-songwriter, well known for his distinctive, powerful voice, complex compositions, and dark emotional ballads. Orbison grew up in Texas and began singing in a rockabilly/country & western band in high school until he was signed by Sun Records in Memphis...
, alongside such luminaries as Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
, John Fogerty
John Fogerty
John Cameron Fogerty is an American rock singer, songwriter, and guitarist, best known for his time with the swamp rock/roots rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival and as a #1 solo recording artist. Fogerty has a rare distinction of being named on Rolling Stone magazine's list of 100 Greatest...
, Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash
John R. "Johnny" Cash was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and author, who has been called one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century...
and k.d. lang
K.D. Lang
Kathryn Dawn Lang, OC , known by her stage name k.d. lang, is a Canadian pop and country singer-songwriter and occasional actress...
. Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
's band was the house band for the evening. When Mardones came on stage to sing "Running Scared," few people knew his name, but when he finished the song, he received a standing ovation.
Even though his lone hit charted twice, Mardones is still considered a "one-hit wonder
One-hit wonder
A one-hit wonder is a person or act known mainly for only a single success. The term is most often used to describe music performers with only one hit single.-Characteristics:...
." He continues to have a substantial fan following in Syracuse, New York
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
with his band called the Hurricanes.
Mardones began his career as a songwriter. He has written songs for people like Brenda Lee and Chubby Checker. He used to demo the songs he wrote and Tommy Motola suggested that he record his own songs.
Since that time he has written and recorded over 100 songs.
Into the Night
The story behind "Into the Night" charting twice is this: In 1989, KZZPKZZP
KZZP, 104.7 KISS-FM, is a Top 40 radio outlet serving the Phoenix, Arizona area. The Clear Channel Communications station broadcasts at 104.7 MHz with an Effective radiated power of 100 kW and is licensed in Mesa, Arizona. Due to its 100 kW tower located atop South Mountain, the station can...
, a radio station in Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
, ran a segment titled "Where Are They Now?" The most popular question was "Whatever happened to the guy who sang 'Into the Night'?" Scott Shannon
Scott Shannon
Michael Scott Shannon is a radio disc jockey, current co-host of the "Scott and Todd in the Morning" show on WPLJ, host of The True Oldies Channel, and the official voice of The Sean Hannity Show.-Early Radio Career:...
, then program director for Pirate Radio
Pirate radio
Pirate radio is illegal or unregulated radio transmission. The term is most commonly used to describe illegal broadcasting for entertainment or political purposes, but is also sometimes used for illegal two-way radio operation...
in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, added "Into the Night" to its playlist. Radio stations across the country followed suit and "Into the Night" was once again a hit.
Mardones was 33 years old when the song became a hit for the first time and he still lives quite well on the royalties received from this song that was also a hit in 1989.
Personal life
Benny was born in Cleveland, OhioCleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
, but raised in Savage, Maryland
Savage, Maryland
Savage is a historic town located in Howard County, Maryland, about south of Baltimore and north of Washington, D.C. It is situated close to the city of Laurel and to the planned community of Columbia.A rich vein of American industrial history lies in Savage...
. His father, Ruben Mardones, was from Santiago, Chile.
In 1980, despite his professional success, Benny's personal life was at an all time low. He found himself battling the demons of drug addiction, and discontinued all concert performances, recordings, and appearances.
Benny disappeared everywhere - everywhere, that is, but Syracuse, New York
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
. With the help of fans like Tommy Nast, then program director at local station 94 Rock, Benny's music was constantly on the air in Syracuse.
When his son Michael was born in 1985, Benny knew he had to quit using drugs so he could raise his son. Benny settled in upstate New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
in an attempt to get his life in order.
To this day, Benny remains a superstar in Syracuse. His shows have become regular events, and his fan base continues to grow. Benny is now the subject of an award documentary movie entitled "Into The Night: The Benny Mardones Story" that was finally released on DVD in the fall of 2008 with lots of bonus and live footage.
Benny was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2000. Despite his illness, he still continues to perform live. He and his wife, Jane, currently reside in Playa del Rey, California.
Discography
- 1978: Thank God for Girls
- 1980: Never Run, Never HideNever Run, Never HideNever Run, Never Hide was an album released in 1980 by pop-rock singer/songwriter Benny Mardones. It included his only major hit, "Into The Night", which peaked at number 11 in 1980, and re-charted nine years later, in 1989....
- 1981: Too Much to Lose
- 1989: Benny Mardones
- 1996: Stand By Your Man
- 1998: Bless a Brand New Angel
- 2002: A Journey Through TimeA Journey Through TimeA Journey Through Time is a 2002 concert tour by Elton John. This is the eleventh tour of Australia by Elton John. The tour completely sold out.-Tour Dates:-Setlist:#Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding#Bennie And The Jets#Someone Saved My Life Tonight...
- 2006: Let's Hear it for Love
- 2008: Extended VersionsExtended VersionsExtended Versions is a live album that was recorded by the rock group Foreigner on November 26, 2005 at Texas Station in North Las Vegas, Nevada...