Famed Gospel Piano Artist Dies

Roger Bennett, age 48, who rose to fame with the world-renown Cathedral Quartet, died this morning at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas after a long bout with leukemia.

Bennett was currently serving as the accompanist for Legacy Five, a popular Southern Gospel Quartet that was formed after the Cathedral Quartet retired from the road in 1999 following the death of longtime manager and lead vocalist Glen Payne.

Bennett had won the fan award for 'Favorite Pianist' for 14 years in a row--more than any other piano artist in Gospel music.

Known as a joyful man with a great sense of humor, often serving as the quartet comic in their on-stage routines, Bennett's knack for quit-witted quips and heart-felt emcee work was only out-matched by his masterful keyboard wizardry. Fans were often mesmerized by his seemingly effortless manner of keyboard precision.

Bennett was much more than a straight quartet piano man. His uniqueness was exhibited by his penchant for the nuance--those tiny, barely-recognizable aspects of keyboard technique that alerted the most astute listeners that this was much more than an ordinary quartet pianist.

A little-known fact about Bennett's 20-year stint with the Cathedral Quartet was that a significant number of their fans were keyboard professionals--church musicians, piano teachers, studio keyboard artists, and the like--who came and sat spellbound as Bennett showed them how a true professional masters the ivories.

This is not to mention the fact that professional vocalists were treated to the masterful performances of Glen Payne, George Younce, and the other singers in the group, who showcased how singing with the correct vocal technique could lengthen one's career. Payne and Younce both sang professionally for over 50 years.

Perhaps the most endearing aspect of Roger Bennett's career in the eyes of most fans was his sincerity. Bennett's reputation was well-known, not only in music circles but within the Christian community. He was truly a role model for all young aspiring Gospel artists. The proof of Bennett's sincerity was ultimately expressed in the manner in which he handled the long struggle with leukemia. His faith never wavered though his physical and emotional strength often did.

The fans will never forget Bennett's series of devotionals called, 'Midnight Meditations,' the majority of which were written from his hospital bed. These meditations were published on a regular basis in Southern Gospel Music's flagship magazine called 'The Singing News.'

Throughout his long ordeal with his disease, Bennett was sometimes prevented from traveling with his beloved Legacy Five, which he started with close friend and former Cathedrals' baritone Scott Fowler. During those programs that Bennett was unable to attend, Fowler would take a phone call from Bennett during a segment of the program--a phone call that would be amplified so that the entire audience could hear it. Though Bennett could not be there physically, it was always comforting for the fans to hear his voice, and I'm sure the Fowler and the other guys were encouraged by the moral support from their ailing pianist.

Those who knew and loved Roger Bennett will never forget him. His skill, artistry, faith, humor, and tireless promotion of Gospel quartet singing will never be forgotten.

May he truly rest in peace, and may the Good Lord accept Him joyfully into that place of eternal peace 'over there.'