Benny Mardones Obituary (2020) - Davenport, IA - Quad-City Times

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Benny Mardones Obituary

I am deeply saddened to announce that Benny Mardones, artist and writer of 3x Billboard Charted Record ""INTO THE NIGHT"", has died at 73, says long time friend and record producer, Joel Diamond.

Benny died peacefully at his home in Menifee, CA on June 29, 2020 with his loving wife at his side. He died from complications of Parkinson's disease. In addition to his wife Jane, Benny is survived by his son Michael and sister Louise. Benny was born Ruben Armand Mardones in Cleveland, Ohio on November 9,1946, and his father, Ruben Mardones, Sr., was from Santiago, Chile.

"I have lost my husband and the love of my life. Not a day went by without Benny telling me how much he loved me. When he knew the end was coming and near coma, he would ask me to come close and struggle to sing ""I've Got You"" (click: https://youtu.be/zfJuJcfTLx4). For the last 12 years he would often surprise me with the most beautiful bouquet of flowers and a note attached saying in Danish ""Jeg Elsker Dig"" (I Love You)," said Jane.

Benny was raised in Savage, Maryland and later moved to Syracuse, NY, where he became their ""Hometown Hero"". He then moved to Woodstock, NY, and most recently for the past 20 years has resided in Southern California. Benny joined the Navy right after high school and fought in the Vietnam War.

Benny Mardones is a name you might not be familiar with, but as soon as you hear the first ""signature"" chords (click: https://youtu.be/m20bgdHdNk8) of "Into The Night", you will instantly know the song and the artist. He exploded onto the music scene in 1980 and was quickly nicknamed "The Voice," a title earned because of his incredible range as well as his soulful and passionate performances. "Into The Night" has been played over 8 Million times and to this day is still one of the most frequently played rock tunes in America.

Upon hearing the news of Benny's passing, Delilah, radio personality and host of a nightly syndicated show with 8 million listeners, best described Benny: "His voice is like whiskey, smooth but with that edgy bite. But his heart is like a hug from your dearest friend, the kind of hug that holds on and doesn't let go and pours so much goodness straight into your heart...Benny is one of a kind and his talent and his love has enriched my life and the lives of all my family."

Tommy Mottola, former Chairman & CEO of Sony Music, said: ""One of the best voices since Daryl Hall"".

After his most recent recording (click: https://youtu.be/E8ZlsfXuR3c) of "Into The Night 2019", Benny has now been memorialized in the history books of Billboard for having the Same Song, Different Recordings, Different Labels, Different Decades, & Different Centuries charted 3 different times. Also for very the first time there are two Club Remixes of "Into The Night 2019" by iconic Remixers Dirty Werk & Eric Kupper (click: https://youtu.be/sMk7w2JimkQ), all produced by Joel Diamond.

He might have been known by some as a 'One Hit Wonder', but how many people can claim a ""Three-In-One Hit Wonder?"" says Diamond.

As part of his legacy, Benny's final wish and his ultimate gift was to donate his body after-death to Parkinson's for advanced medical research and education.

A Memorial Service will be announced in the near future.

THE STORY

Benny's long and storied career in music certainly had lots of unexpected peaks and valleys, but through it all, he was always an optimist and a fighter, right to the end. These qualities helped make the throaty singer burst onto the scene and the charts with ""Into The Night"", the song he co-wrote with Robert Tepper; which incidentally marks and celebrates 40 years on June 14, 2020, since its first release.

Benny's life was dramatically changed when he met Jane in 2009 and they married in 2011. Jane was a gift from God right at the time in Benny's life when he needed it most. She was not only Benny's loving and devoted partner, care-giver, and best friend, but she was also his ""rock"".

As a cocky eleven-year-old, Benny entered the annual Fourth of July talent show in his home town, asking the young back-up group to play "Jailhouse Rock" for him. They said, ""What key do you want to do it in?" Mardones recalls that his answer was, ""I really don't know"", when in fact, he admitted afterwards, he didn't know anything about music. Well, the back-up group selected their own key and ""I went out on stage, grabbed the mike, and started singing, shakin' my leg and swiveling my hips. I brought the house down and won the talent show." Two months later, he was performing regularly with the same back-up group at high school dances and fire halls.

Benny had already developed a taste for the rock and R&B music of the day including Elvis, The Dells and his very favorite singer, Roy Orbison. Orbison was his first rock concert ever, and what an awkward moment he had with his idol. Benny remembers, "I had an extra ticket and my friend asked me if I would sell it for him. I see a guy walking up, a girl on each arm, cat dressed in black...I thought man, that guy looks cool."" I asked him if he needed a ticket and he said, ""I believe I already have one,"" and he laughed. I continued, ""don't you think that Roy Orbison is the best singer in the world?"" The man answered, ""I'm sure he'd like to hear that."" ""My seat was way up in the balcony for the show, and when this same person that I had just tried to scalp a ticket to walked out on stage, I realized it was Roy Orbison and just about died."

Ironically, later on Benny 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 Benny walked on stage to sing "Running Scared," few people knew his name as compared to the other names, but by the time he finished the song, not only did everybody know his name but he also received a standing ovation for his performance.

It was 1969 that Benny arrived in New York City from Savage, and his first stop was Mercury Records/MRC Music. He marched into the receptionist and said ""I would like to audition for the man in charge!"" Joel Diamond, new to the business himself but yet a very astute young head of the Music Publishing division, along with his then assistant Tommy Mottola, were blown away when Benny sang a capella in his office. They offered him a staff writer position, and Joel hooked him up with then staff writer Alan Miles. It was then and there that Mardones honed in on his innate writing skills. He and Alan proceeded to write material for Brenda Lee, Three Dog Night, Main Ingredient, Free, Tommy James and a #1 R&B hit with Barbara Jean English. When Diamond became the head of Sony Music Publishing in 1972, he brought Benny along with him and gave him his a writing room in which he created his own personal audition showcase-stage for many luminaries brought in by Diamond, including Clive Davis.

Joel produced and got Benny his first record deal with White Whale Records with a Mardones/Miles penned song, ""Stand & Be Counted"". Through Diamond, he scored his second record deal, also with Diamond producing, with Columbia Records, where he recorded the classic doo-wop hit ""Please Say You Want Me"" and later Diamond put Benny together with The Sound Of Philadelphia & arranger Bobby Martin (""Me & Mrs. Jones"", ""If You Don't Know Me By Now"", etc.) and then produced his second single for Columbia, ""And Tomorrow Means Another Day We're Apart"".

It would be several years later after Benny's first initial round of success, that Benny got a knock on his door and opened it only to find Andrew Loog Oldham (manager and producer of The Rolling Stones) along with Larry Uttal, the president of Private Stock Records. Soon Benny found himself in recording studio with a band including Mick Ronson on guitar, Humble Pie drummer Jerry Shirley, and being produced by Oldham. "These were all guys that I'd paid to see in concert, you know?" Benny said, "Half of me was scared to death and half of me said, well this is what you've always wanted, so toughen up and do it."

Mardones started making a real name for himself as a performer touring with Richie Havens, including an outdoor rally on Wall Street in front of 100,000 people. He caught the eye of concert promoter Ron Delsener who was quite impressed by Benny's voice. A few weeks later he received a call from Delsener to ask him if he could fill in for a last-minute cancellation. Amazingly, Benny soon discovered he was opening for Peter Frampton at Madison Square Garden.

It was in 1980 when Benny starting writing with Robert Tepper and got signed to Polydor, where ""Into The Night"" was born. Once the record was released, it became an instant radio classic across the country and to this day is one of the most frequently played tunes in radio history. It is estimated that the song has been played more than 8 Million times in the US alone. Benny appeared on The Toni Tennille Show, American Bandstand, & Midnight Special, and Merv Griffin Show, sitting along side and being introduced by Kal Rudman of FMBQ (the bible for radio programmers). A fearless & feisty Benny Mardones presented his challenge to step into the boxing ring with Elvis Costello, who was also breaking big at the time, and Benny said to millions of people watching the show, "There is only one Elvis and if he loses the fight, he has to change his first name to Lou."

A Syracuse radio station heard Benny was living in town at that time and wanted him to do a concert appearance. The promoter called and said ""We'll pay you $8,000."" He thought to himself, ""What's happening here? Am I opening for The Beatles?"" Just a few days before the show, he casually asked the promoter, ""By the way, who am I opening for?"" The answer from the promoter was, ""Nobody - YOU are the head-liner! Don't you know that the biggest radio station in Syracuse has been playing 'Into The Night' and other cuts from your album? Thank you to Tom Mitchell, Program Director, everybody in Syracuse wants to hear more of your music and see you live and in-person."" Benny stepped onto the stage that night and saw a capacity crowd of 12,000 people and it absolutely overwhelmed him. In the middle of his first song, he broke down and started to cry; he literally had to leave the stage. ""The crowd saw my emotional breakdown, and it only inspired them to start chanting my name. From that day on, my tour dates began and ended in Central New York."

Syracuse's adopted son was so grateful for this opportunity that he now felt he had to give something back. He continued to pursue his lifelong commitment to help children's causes. Mardones and his band, The Hurricanes, raised literally thousands of dollars for children's liver transplant operations, Ronald McDonald House, T.J. Martell Foundation, LA Breast Cancer Awareness, and was presented with an award from the Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund of Central New York.

Jerry Kraus, of WOUR radio, the best rock music station in Utica, NY, reminisced that when Benny performed to a sold-out house in Central New York, ""It was almost like it was a cult following. He was just the ultimate showman - he could walk into a room and make friends with everybody instantly, had a smile that would light up the room and the gift of gab to go along with it.""

Benny said "It took me a few years after that to come out of the fog and realize that I was hooked on drugs, had blown through my million dollar fortune, alienated everyone that was ever close to me, and had done all the wrong things. But out of all this turmoil, the smoke cleared for a moment, and a little boy was born, my son Michael. I made a pact with the man upstairs and declared, just let me be around to raise this little guy, and I'll never go down that road again.""

In 1989, "Into The Night" was re-released for the second time after a "Where Are They Now?" feature on KZZP played the record and the phones blew up; which led to renewed interest in the song from young listeners hearing it for the first time. The legendary influential program director Scott Shannon, Pirate Radio, added it to his play-list and radio stations across the country followed suit.

"I was in Woodstock living with my son in a friend's attic that I had turned into a little apartment," Benny remembers, "When unbeknownst to me, my original mentor, Joel Diamond, contacted Mike Curb and let him know that there had been a resurgence of ""Into The Night"" and it might just be a win-win for Curb Records to sign Mardones and re-record his original hit one more time to catch the new wave of radio success. Within days, Benny found himself in Los Angeles cutting an entire album for Curb, with Michael Lloyd producing and Diamond Executive Producing.

As a result of ""Into The Night"" hitting the charts one more time, it catapulted Benny into the elite stratosphere of becoming one of only eight artists, joining the ranks of Queen, Righteous Brothers, Chubby Checker, The Contours, The Four Seasons, Ben E. King, and Neil Sedaka, to ever ascend to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 charts twice with the same song.

It was in 2000 when Benny's life took a dramatic downturn when he was sadly diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. Even in spite his illness, he continued to play to sold-out crowds in central New York up until just a few years ago. He was asked to be a guest speaker at Canajoharie High School, upstate NY, where he spoke to students about his experience of bursting into fame after many years of hard work in the music industry. He also spoke about succumbing to drug addiction, his battle to overcome Parkinson's disease, and the resurrection of his career in upstate New York. He received mulitple standing ovations and concluded with: ""Follow your dreams, because this is still a country where you can make your dreams come true.""

Cut to the third & final chapter of ""Into The Night"". In 2019, 2x Grammy & Multi Platinum record producer Joel Diamond, stepped back into the role of Benny's producer and told Benny that he now had the opportunity to create music history by re-cutting ""Into The Night"" one more time. Diamond knew that to make the charts again, he needed to come at it from a whole new direction. He brought on board music arranger Ted Perlman to do the music for the new and updated ballad version, and Brad LeBeau of ProMotion, to promote Benny's new Dance Club Remixes by Dirty Werk and Eric Kupper, who have re-mixed 20 #1 Club Hits including Ariana Grande, Diana Ross, Pink, Miley Cirus, and Janet Jackson. This resulted in "Into The Night 2019" charting in Billboard for its third time.

Also in January 2020, Rudy Perez, 5x Grammy Award winner & Billboard Producer of the Decade, wrote a Spanish lyric and actually performed "Into The Night 2019" as a Spanglish duet with Benny, produced by Perez & Diamond.

Benny is now memorialized in the history books of Billboard Magazine for having the: Same Song, Different Recordings, Different Labels, Different Decades, & Different Centuries charted 3 different times.

"Life has a beginning and an end for all of us, but one thing that will always be said of Benny Mardones is that he definitely squeezed the tube-of-life completely dry", said Joel Diamond.

Published by Quad-City Times on Jun. 29, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Benny Mardones

456 Entries

You did so well!! I hope you know how much you are appreciated and love.

Kim

Other

May 16, 2024

Love you Benny.

Marilyn

Other

April 27, 2024

I loved you the moment I heard into the night

Gail

Other

April 27, 2024

I love your music and share it with my extended family! You were the best of the best! May you rest in peace?

Sheila Hazel

Other

April 13, 2024

My condolences I just re read his story and of course this man had the talent and knew how to use his voice I still have a jolt through me when I hear "In to the night" the best song ever

Tina Hood

April 13, 2024

Hope. to meet you in heaven Benny!! I'm a 74 yr. young woman who discovered you singing INTO THE NIGHT live, when you were only 34. What an amazing voice! I fell in love with you Benny! So handsome, so talented. I will listen to you singing your wonderful song until the day I can fly

Janice Pasek

Other

March 23, 2024

I know it sounds crazy but I fall in love with this sweet and wonderful man from the moment I saw his video and heard his incomparable voice. Spiritually I say he is my soulmate and I say it with the outmost respect for his family and friends. My dear Benny I wish I had been born in your time and met you in person but the mere fact of being able to enjoy your talent and listen to your music fills my heart with joy. Rest in peace sweet eyes.

Willow M

Other

March 22, 2024

I feel in love with his song Into the Night. I listen to it every chance I get. He was a great singer and songwriter. He will be missed.

Myra Robinson

Other

March 6, 2024

RIP. Beautiful man singing a beautiful song. Very touching.

Patty G

Other

March 2, 2024

I Loved this man´s voice!!! And the song into the night was one of my Favorite You done good Benny!!! RIP

Debbie Heaton

March 2, 2024

I grew up hearing his song my high school years and my first marriage,RIP Sir good memories

Lupita Ramos

Friend

February 16, 2024

I did not know a lot about Benny Mardones when he was famous. It was only recently when I heard "Into the Night" on You Tube and watched the video that I was so amazed by him. His music is timeless and i have been listening to him daily since then. Benny's heart truly comes out in his voice and his music. I will remember him for his great talent, endurance and generosity. Rest in peace Benny. My name is Janet.

Janet Peek

Other

February 1, 2024

I absolutely loved and still love your music! That VOICE will live on in my heart till it's not beating anymore. You had the best voice, I wish more people could've seen you in action. When you came to Syracuse I did my best to make it to the concerts. You were and always will be the best singer out there. I miss you , I miss that smile of yours and greetings after the concert. I will never forget the time my mom was dying, you called my phone when I was visiting her and you uplifted her. You sang to her you talked to her. She understood you but couldn't respond only with a half smile she was left with after her stroke. You were there for me when she passed away. Called every so often to lift my spirits. You were such a great man. I'm glad you are part of Syracuse now. Thank you, Jane.

Valerie Nellenback

Friend

January 30, 2024

Rest in heavenly peace Benny. You will be missed by so many. Into the Night will always be my favorite song.

Kim

January 10, 2024

Wish I could have known him I cry when I hear Into The Night What a sweet man I cried when I found out that he died

Rachel

Other

November 25, 2023

I'm sorry

Robin Bell Bell

November 13, 2023

" THE VOICE"..... God´s gift to all of us in the music and songs of Benny Mardones . May you rest in peace my friend and know that your loved as you pass on" INTO THE NIGHT " . God bless you and your family .

Stephen Cottrel

Other

November 7, 2023

Rest in peace. Thank you for the great music!

Dave Baker

October 20, 2023

Thank you for the beautiful story in the beautiful song "into the night" we love it, jesse n grace

Grace

Other

October 13, 2023

RIP, Benny, you will be missed. I was always looking out for another hit. The most under rated performer/artist in history!

Violeta Padilla

September 6, 2023

So sad to hear of Benny Mardines' passing...Into The Night is one of my all time favorite songs.. it is so hauntingly beautiful!! It gives me chills hearing how sad and desperate his voice is for this unrequited love he has for this girl...one of the best melodies and words ever written!! RIP Benny...your song will live forever!

Mary Lou Rivetti

September 6, 2023

Love to you in Heaven, Benny Mardones. You helped me to open my heart. Thank you for being you. Love always...

Magdalen

Other

September 5, 2023

Amazing voice that God gave Benny. His music is timeless... . Love you Benny!

DebbieClark

September 1, 2023

Into the night is one of my all time favorite songs, so sorry to hear of his passing. RIP.

Linda Barrera

Other

August 29, 2023

benny had the most amazing voice I loved all his songs but heart in my hands was my favorite at Christmas I listen to Christmas time in Syracuse. wouldn't be Christmas if I didn't, prayers to benny's family fly high Angel..

Susan Stanton

Acquaintance

August 18, 2023

First heard of Mr Mardones in 1981 and have been a fan ever since. His music moves my emotions to a warm, sweet, happy, peaceful place......like a magic carpet. RIP

Lulu

August 17, 2023

You will sing this song forever

Sam Gregg

Acquaintance

August 11, 2023

I will never forget the first time of hearing Into the night. I was with a group of friends and we had just graduated high school. We were clowning around on Galvestons sea wall. It was breezy and magical. That song came on and that feeling still gets me when I hear it. RIP Benny. Thanks for the beautiful songs that only you could sing.

Cindy P

July 27, 2023

Thank you for the beautiful music. What a talented man. Condolences to the family

Gina Coghlan

July 20, 2023

Just started listening to this song and I´m mesmerized by it!!!! Wow! It plays over in my head all day! Really am sorry he didn´t do more songs and died so early!

Mary Jane Anelli

July 2, 2023

Go straight into the night Benny.
Condolences

Gilda & Morty

Gilda

Friend

May 29, 2023

All the way into the night Benny.

Love Gilda

Gilda

May 23, 2023

Just learned of Benny´s passing. May you fly high with the songbirds that make us smile. Your voice was like no other´s.
Grateful to have enjoyed your music! Your voice was like no others. Many blessings!!

Betsy. ( fan)

Other

April 26, 2023

I had the honor of meeting Benny at Jammers in Baldwinsville, NY. I approached him as a nervous fan but after a minute he was so gracious and kind, my nerves were gone. Saw him many times in concert and told him I loved his "Thank God for Girls" album, which I believe was his first. He will be greatly missed and so sorry for your loss.

Samuel P Meeker

March 19, 2023

I only talked to Benny one time on the telephone, he was personable, genuine, you could just feel the vibes. I remember in his last concert he said 'don't forget about me'. That will never happen, your powerful heartfelt voice will be with us forever Benny. Thinking of you tonight.

NORMA LEONARD

Acquaintance

February 22, 2023

Omg, I, LINDA M just learned of Benny's passing. I'm one of the caregivers that worked at SUNNY ROSE GLEN, MENIFEE, CA. I was blessed to meet and caregive to Benny. Me and the other staff at SUNNY ROSE GLEN were very taken in by BENNY'S ability to make us feel like he was our caregiver!!! I remember everytime I would enter his room to caregive to him, he would flip the script and ask how I was doing, am I OK, and to please help myself to some of his fruit and snacks he had in his room. He cared for us caregivers FIRST, before his needs. Also, there was a stray cat that would visit BENNY in his room, nightly, and BENNY soon had his wife JANE take the cat to get checked out at a vet and BENNY adopted the stray cat into his heart and into his life. BENNY told me he would name the cat REHAB, because he was in REHAB!!! BENNY would autograph his CDS for the staff at SUNNY ROSE GLEN. One of the kitchen staff, LEAH, was also very good at drawing and she did freehand drawing of his CD covers. BENNY would ask me to dial phone numbers on his cell for his wife JANE or OZZY OSBOURNE because the Parkinson caused his hands to be so shaky. One day BENNY needed a haircut and I helped him sit up in his bed while JANE gave him a cute haircut. I will NEVER forget BENNY, the rare quality of BENNY, Truly ONE OF A KIND. I was blessed to be touched by the ,amazingly, unselfish and loving and caring BENNY even to all of us strangers. I'm touched deeply every time I here the famous song...INTO THE NIGHT! GOD BLESS YOU BENNY AND REST IN PEACE. BLESS YOU, JANE, TOO. My heart is with you both.

Linda MOlinar

Work

February 2, 2023

Wished I knew him personally. His song played during my high school years. Just found out he is gone. Rediscovered his song and his video on YouTube. I remember seeing him on MTV during he 80's. Wow. He could sing. His song is cherished forever.

Santos Torres

Acquaintance

August 7, 2022

What a beautiful soul, a passionate heart and a loving man. What a voice. My ears and my heart fell in love the first time I heard Into The Night. Thank you Benny Mardones. God's Blessings and strength to The Mardones family.

Shari Tunstall

June 23, 2022

Want to see you in Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!! You deserve it sweet Benny..miss you and you are singing and happy and no pain..you are at peace now

Victoria Stone

Acquaintance

March 25, 2022

When i heard "
Into the night " the first time, I became an instant fan, then seeing the videos of him singing I knew then, he was a gift to the world! Powerful, full range vocals! His love for his fans, I wish I could have been to one of his concerts. The number 29 has special meaning to me, it is my birthday {6/29/1954}, I lost my better half on 3/ 29 /2013, God gained an awesome Angel on 6/29/2020! To your family, prayers and peace of mind, Grief never leaves, we have to remember the love they left us.

Stanford Brill

March 23, 2022

Benny rest in peace. Love you man. I could not have had a better brotherinlaw. I am hoping for your entry into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. You deserve to be there.

Charles Horner

Family

March 23, 2022

Listen to your music all the time. Alexa even plays you in concert at the turning stone for your Christmas show. My kids were brought up on your music they know every song, they were so young they couldn´t pronounce your name so you were Benny the donut. You will be missed but will live on especially in this house! Rock on Benny! Much love to your family.

A Syracuse NY fan!

Other

March 5, 2022

I remember “into the night” from back in the 80’s but had no idea of what the singer looked like until now after I read he passed away and checked. I have to say I’m now going through the you tube videos and have been watching them almost every night. I wish there were more than the 4 that they have of when he was younger back in the 80’s. I’m a fan now! Sad that he passed away from Parkinson’s. I watched my grandmother die from that a few years ago.

Linda

January 29, 2022

Benny´s music wraps you in a warm, loving embrace. His voice smooth and soulful, has the ability to transport you to a beautiful place and time. Condolences to the family. Find comfort in knowing his music and spirit, will live on through his many fans and friends.

Debbie

Other

January 22, 2022

Rest In Peace Mr. Mardones. Thank you for such great music and a wonderful raspy voice that made the songs you sang great to listen to. Thank you for the memories .May GOD bless and keep your family. Love ya!

V. MB

Friend

November 22, 2021

My most Sincerest Condolences to the family of Benny. What an amazing talent he was. I just found out today that he passed away in 2020. Nobody and I mean nobody will ever sing "Into the Night" as soulful as Benny did. It was his song and that song is his legacy. God Bless the family of Benny on your loss of such a wonderful person.

Andre Churchill

November 15, 2021

BENNNYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Brian Privitera

October 28, 2021

Rest in Peace, Benny. I Loved "Into the Night," and enjoyed his other music, also. His songs were always soulful and passionate, and he had an incredible voice. So sad to see the effects of Parkinson on him. Thank you for the great music, Benny, and Rock On.

Cindy LaPenna

September 2, 2021

Thank you for the birthday "gift' you sent me years ago. So sorry I missed the chance to meet you. Heaven has gained an Angel. RIP

Barbara

Other

September 1, 2021

Benny, thank you for all of the music you have given us. May you Rest In Peace free of pain.

Sharon Rise

Friend

August 27, 2021

Into the Night still sounds incredible. An American Standard that keeps charting because it's so darn great. Benny is a treasure.

LA Zalewski

Friend

August 4, 2021

God will be with you with all my prayers!!

Dave Werner

Friend

July 29, 2021

The raw emotion and power in The Voice is unlike any other, and the way he connected with his audience is genuine and sweet. I've been listening to songs, live and on radio, for over 50-yrs, but even before I realized who he was, hearing that song on the radio affected me like no other. I've watched his final concert with 'Into the Night' over and over again and am incredulous at the power and love in that 70-yr-old voice, exactly the same as when he originally sang it decades ago. The look on his face as he realizes his audience knows every word, every chord, is beautiful, and must have meant the world to him. At the end, when he walks offstage and goes to the waiting arms of that gentleman, is the most emotional and exquisite moments on stage I've ever seen.

Cinde Fisher

Teacher

July 12, 2021

One of the most underrated talents EVER..God Bless and may you be singing with that beautiful voice in eternity....

Tonya SPICUZZA

June 30, 2021

YOUR VOICE WAS GREAT....I LISTEN TO YOUR MUSIC ALL THE TIME .YOUR SONGS ARE HEARTFELT
YOU WROTE AND SANG THEM FROM YOUR HEART...I PRAY ALL THE TIME FOR YOUR PEACE...
MAYBE I WILL SEE YOU ON THE OTHER SIDE AND YOU CAN SING THOSE BEAUTIFUL LOVE SONGS
TO ME AND MY HUSBAND HE IS ALREADY THERE....RIP

Classmate

June 28, 2021

I think he was one of the best because he put everything he had in his Heart and Soul to sing and I admire that out of a singer He will be missed. I wish his family well He will be missed!

Robert Wiggins

Significant_other

June 25, 2021

I will never forget the first time I ever heard "Into the Night"... I had just got out of the US Navy.. Blew me away. I'm sorry you lost your battle Benny.. you are loved brother.

James Speed

June 16, 2021

He had such a wonderful voice. I was listening to "Into the Night", before I found this page. RIP Bennie.

Donna Lombardo

May 21, 2021

Benny was an iconic singer. Into the Night was played everywhere in 1980 and even still today. Thank you God for giving us this talented person who shared his gift of music with us.

John Knuppe

April 21, 2021

I hope we meet in the next life.

Marie Prowd

April 6, 2021

Love you miss you Benny fly with the angels

March 19, 2021

Benny Mardones was a GREAT singer and songwriter!!! I still listen to his hit song INTO THE NIGHT! My condolences to his family.

Vivianne Dupeire

March 11, 2021

Benny had one of the purest voices in music that I have ever heard. He will be sorely missed. My sincere condolences to his family.

Kelly Herms

February 24, 2021

May You R.I.P. Benny. There are other Great Singers, Past and Present, but THERE WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER JUST LIKE YOU ! Sincerely, One of , If NOT Your BIGGEST Fan EVER my Viet-nam Veteran "BROTHER." 'Nam Vet. '66-'67 United States Marines, ( M.O.S. 1371 Combat Engineer.

Roy Simonetti

February 8, 2021

Benny, I love Into The Night, it is my favorite song behind My Girl. I am so sorry we lost you. Just found out yesterday when I pulled your song up to listen to it. You will be missed greatly. R.I.P. BENNY.

Debbie PRUITT

Friend

February 5, 2021

I had heard his music before but it was just yesterday I connected the song with the face. God Bless you Benny. You fought a hard battle. Now its time to rest.

Sharon Rose

November 10, 2020

I was too young to see your show at The Decade in Pittsburgh way back, but "Into the Night" was my very favourite song for years. You had so much power in your voice! From what I've read you seemed to be a very generous hearted guy. I just learned of your passing yesterday, and I felt bad. I had no idea. Rest in peace Benny.
Lynda Nolan
Derry, PA

Lynda Nolan

Friend

November 3, 2020

Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.

Deborah Chislum

November 1, 2020

Just listened to Benny's beautiful and passionate song after a great meal and while cuddling my girl. Tears of joy and appreciation for your timeless and soulful Into the Night. God bless you and yours, forever.

J Dague

October 17, 2020

You Captured My Heart

Tracey Cooke

October 12, 2020

i am a person whose life is governed by music. beautiful music, music with a n=message. i grew up to parents who played opera and broadway constantly, then influenced by my brothers who went o woodstock in the 60's. i am happy to say that i know good music from crap. when "into the night " hit the airwaves it mesmorized me...benny's voice was almost like a raoring lion, not a person, and it shook me and moved me like no other. to this moment i play his music videos and i pray for his soul. i actually had the priveledge of emailing with benny about 6 months ago. he was an amzing man,

doretta auld

Friend

October 11, 2020

This candle is for you my friend, Benny. I LOVE YOU FOREVER.

October 11, 2020

BENNY and Valerie

Benny and Valerie Nellenback. I sure do miss you. Followed you for over 30 years. Went to a lot of concerts but phols Beach house on sylvan Beach was the best. There will never be anyone with a voice like yours. Thank you for leaving us with your music. Your voice was unbelievable. Love you forever.

Valerie Nellenback

Friend

October 11, 2020

Inspired. That's what hearing Benny sing his classic hit song made me feel, the first time I saw him perform "live" on TV back in Philly.
His vocals were a force to be reckoned with...still resonating to this day.

My condolences to the family...
May you rest in eternal peace, brother~

Brian Constantine

Friend

September 20, 2020

So sad to hear of Benny's passing but I know he is in a better place. May God bless those he left behind and loved. Into the Night was one of those songs you just cant get tired of. I loved it the minute I heard it for the first time and still today love it just as much. My condolences to the family.

Mary Olson (a fan)

September 9, 2020

I first heard Into The Night when I was driving home from work after losing my first patient. I was a newly graduated Veterinarian and I tried to save a German Shepherd with a stomach torsion. He died in surgery. On the way home I heard "Into the Night" and I pulled off the road to call the radio station to find out who the song was by. Later, I lost my Dad after 6 weeks in the hospital. After my Dad died I listened to the song over and over. To me it expressed my grief at not being able to pick up my Dad and save him. Listening to that song helped me work through my grief. The year before my Dad passed away I was diagnosed with Parkinsons Disease. I noticed when watching a video of Benny that he also had Parkinsons, and I was amazed that he was able to go on singing so well. I wrote to Benny and told him how much his song meant to me, and to my surprise he wrote me back. I was so sad to hear of his passing, I hope he knew how talented he was and how much his music meant to people. He definitely left a mark on my life, simply by hearing that song on the radio years ago.

Linda Janowitz

September 5, 2020

I listened to your great music and still watch your music videos. Have made numerous donations for assistance with medical bills and services. Rock out great one.

joAnn Antonucci

August 31, 2020

I loved his music! I am so very sorry to hear about his passing. My sincere condolences to his family and friends...

Carolyn Depew

August 31, 2020

Benny Mardones I pray you rest in peace. No more pain. I also pray for your wife Jane and the rest of your family going through this sad time of loss. Benny was truly one of the best artists in the world. He will be sadly missed. I will cherish his music forever. RIP BENNY. :(

Kimberley Boustami

Acquaintance

August 23, 2020

God bless you Benny. You are in heaven with the angels singing up a storm. Free as a bird on the wing. You are missed by millions that your talent and music have touched. My sincere condolences to your wife and son. Your whole family. Bless all of you. From Colorado, a devoted fan, Marian

Marian Walsh Rusher

August 22, 2020

Benny, you were taken away too soon. you had a remarkable voice and Into the night was my favorite song. you will be missed. RIP

Kumiko Clevenger

August 20, 2020

So sorry to see of Benny's passing. Fan from Indiana.

Wendy Manubay

August 16, 2020

Fell in love with his voice the first time I heard it ... its had a hold of my heart ever since... Rest peacefully Bennie... your fans will carry your memory from here on out... Condolences to your family and loved ones ...

Sherri I.

August 14, 2020

Played your song at my wedding!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

August 13, 2020

Oh Me Oh My I love the man and all his songs. What a great singer and song writer. I can't stop listening to his songs . REST IN PEACE YOU WILL BE MISSED. Condolences to his family..

Nydia Perrotta

August 13, 2020

My heart goes out to the family I just want to let you all know he touched my heart....

Cynthia Bottita

August 11, 2020

My deepest sympathy to the family of Benny Mardones. You will be missed more than you could ever imagine. GOD BLESS YOU BENNY

janett McConville

Friend

August 10, 2020

I meet Benny first in Playa Del Rey in 2007. He became a tenant of mine.
Then he became a great friend.
When my ex wife first met him, the first thin he did was sing “Into the Night” for her.
We became great friends. He had a very loving heart and kind soul.
The world is less of a place without him.
My deepest sympathies to his family.

All my love
Bruce

Bruce Wisner

August 8, 2020

You had such a beautiful voice. You will be missed. God bless your soul and God bless your family. A fan, Rose Zamora

Rose Zamora

Friend

August 7, 2020

I have always enjoyed listening to Benny Mardones' phenomenal singing voice. He had one of the best voices I have ever heard. I love the songs Sheila C., This Time, Into the Night, I Never Really Loved You At All, and many more. I never knew much about Benny Mardones' personal life, but now after reading everything about him, I like him even more. Thank you Benny for sharing your amazing voice, and thank you for all of the good things you have done for others. You are an inspiration.

Andy Bowton

Friend

August 2, 2020

Andy Bowton

Friend

August 2, 2020

To the family, many, many friends, and legions of fans of this wonderful man, his hit song “Into the Night.” That is what legacy Benny Mardones left behind memorable songs that will not be forgotten. May the God of comfort bless your grieving hearts with strength, loving kindness and peace as the world copes with loss the of Benny. May his music keep his memory alive forever.

Tony

August 1, 2020

Loved all your music!! Had an opportunity of a lifetime meeting Benny and his lovely wife Jane at a friends house. Even got a picture with Benny. You will be sadly missed by so many people. Thank you for sharing your music with us. Still can’t believe you are gone. Condolences to his family and friends.

Maria Engelbrecht

July 30, 2020

i just love this song since 1973 9th grade iam now 60 and it still make me feel good

Teresa ROGERS

Friend

July 29, 2020

Benny was an extrodinary talent. Although I never had the privilege of meeting him, I watched many interviews of him which showed he was an extraordinary man as well. Into the night, like I'm sure so many others, was one of my all time favorite songs. He will be greatly missed. To his wife Jane, son Michael and sister Louise I send my deepest sympathy.

Debra Brown

July 28, 2020

Hi Benny,I feel in Love with you the summer of 1980,I had just Grad High school and you blew up the airwaves man you made my summer and forty years later you made me CRY longer and harder than I have my whole life!!!!!Benny I know you are among great people Look for Buddy cable & Bobby Hamil you 3 will have a Blast I have already told them of you coming up and Bobby has a hug from me until the day I can wrap my big arms around you !! I still have tears in my eyes for you,LOVE PAT.

patrick connor

Friend

July 27, 2020

Lotta Benny In Here. Enjoy!

My brother like no other

D.L. Byron

Family

July 27, 2020

Sending my prayers and love to Jane, Michael, and the rest of the family!
Now here’s my Benny story
Anyone my age couldn’t tell you who Benny is.. but I’ve had the honor to grow up listening to Benny, going to his shows, and knowing him! I remember being a little girl going to the beach days shows, sitting there in my bathing suit just hanging out listening and singing along to every single song! As I grew up, and started becoming old enough to enjoy other shows, like Phol’s and the turning stone, I loved every minute of it! I grew up around all these people who became like family to me. “The Benny family” my mom knew that even if I wasn’t directly in her view, someone else around was watching out for me, bc we are just that a big Benny family. I met my best friend of 15 years at a Benny show! I got pulled up on stage Around my 16th birthday by Benny while he played Into the Night. (Memorial Day weekend) I have the honor to say I’ve met great people bc of Benny like Eddy Money, I’ve went bar hopping with benny when I turned 21! And Benny couldn’t believe his eyes that I was finally old enough to go out to the bar with him, he literally watched me and my sister grow up before his eyes! Benny, Thankyou for always giving us the best shows in Syracuse, NY. Always being a great friend to my mom, and being the person you were! You will forever be missed by myself and my family. And your music will live on in my household, through my kids. We love you Benny I’m truly glad you are no longer suffering, until we meet again. ❤

Alecia Scott

Acquaintance

July 27, 2020

This is so hard. Sending my deepest condolences to Jane, Michael, and the entire family. I am so blessed to have been part of Benny's life. He was an amazing friend and I will miss him dearly. He was my Angel here on earth because he was there for me when I truly needed him and I hope he would say the same about me. Michael, your Dad loves you more than words can express. Jane, I could not have picked someone better for Benny if I tried. He didn't think he would ever find true love and then he found you. I love the way you love him. I am eternally grateful that he is not suffering anymore and is at peace. I know there were many waiting for his arrival in Heaven. I know it was a joyful reunion. I also know that Benny is watching over his loved ones. In our last conversation, he said "I've gotta go but we will continue this conversation. I love you." We will continue that conversation, not here, but on the other side. I will love you forever my dear friend.

Marlene Roos

Friend

July 27, 2020

I would say that his voice was inspirational. "Into the Night" was my go to song when I was 16yrs. old and I wasn't allowed to date. I would play his song over and over. Thank you Benny for your beautiful song. May your family find the comfort they need during this very difficult time. RIP

Liz Siqueiros

Acquaintance

July 26, 2020

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