Born: November 12, 1962 Primary Instrument: Guitar, electric
Eddie Benitez was born in Puerto Rico and spent his early years in Europe where his father’s work had brought the family. Eddie’s family returned to the U.S. in the late 60s and settled in Brooklyn, New York., setting the stage for the start of Eddie’s extraordinary musical career. He formed his first band at 12 and began playing and winning Battles of the Band in Brooklyn. That got him noticed and signed with the premier Latin Jazz label, Fania Records.
In the summer of 1976 Eddie was launched onto the world stage with his debut concert at Madison Square Garden in front of 20,000 fans as part of the Fania All Stars. He was just 14 years old. His first album Nightlife, was released that same year and promptly went gold. Another gold record followed with his second release, Essence of Life. Eddie was 15 years old with two gold records, winning recognition as an astonishing young talent.
In 1983, Eddie signed with the innovative label, Island Records. He has performed with legendary stars such as Barry White, Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaria and many others, throughout his career.
Brilliance, Illness & Miracles followed: Though Eddie’s star rose early and quickly, in 1985, the unthinkable happened; his performing career ground to a sudden halt when at the age of 23 he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The diagnosis was grim as the cancer was late stage when finally diagnosed. Then Eddie experienced a miraculous and complete healing from the cancer. His recovery baffled the medical community, but Eddie himself is clear that it was a divine healing that occurred during a spiritual vision. This experience transformed Eddie’s life, and afterwards he took time off to reflect on life and spirituality.
Eddie later gradually returned to the music world and wrote music over the years for many dance acts in the mid-80s through the early 90s. Ultimately he returned to writing and performing his own music. With the 2008 release of “Lovers Never Say Goodbye” Eddie began enjoying the acclaim of a whole new generation of fans in addition to his long-time, loyal audience around the globe.
2009 brought a New Era for Eddie Benitez’s music, as “Visions of Angels” was released with NuGroove Records.
Rumors continue to swell that when Eddie performs live, angels are seen on stage by many in the audience. Fantasy or true? Eddie has always insisted his music is directly inspired by angelic communications. He invites fans and skeptics to find out for themselves by listening by coming to a show, or even by just listening to his music with an open mind and heart.
The life story of Eddie Benitez is one filled not only with music, but with tales of spirits, angels, demons, healings and hauntings: yes, even hauntings. The Discovery Channel & Eddie Benitez: One of Eddie's claimed encounters with the dark side was dramatically recreated in an episode of The Discovery Channel's hit series, “A Haunting.” In the episode titled “Casa de los Muertos,” Eddie's battle with an evil entity possessing his eldest son is reenacted with one of his other sons, Julian, playing the lead role. The battle was eventually won with a brief but dramatic exorcism performed by Eddie, the same kind he learned from his late mother, a healer and exorcist herself. Now seen in over 66 countries.
Don't miss this exciting episode in Season IV of “A Haunting,” available on DVD and in frequent re-airings on The Discovery Channel. Eddie's music forms the soundtrack for the episode, including a track called “A Haunting,” available on his CD “Lovers Never Say Goodbye.”
Visions of Angels
TiaraMuzik
NuGroove
20009
Tracks: Dreams Within; A Childs Love: "Amanda's Song"; That's Life; Entrance to Paradise; Visions of Angels; Love Forever, Always; Beautiful Sunrise, The Next Day; That's Life: Instrumental; Wisdom; Memories of a Friend; A Child's Love: Instrumental; The Gift. Eddie Benitez
Lovers Never Say Goodbye
TiaraMuzik
2008
Tracks: They Cry, Lovers Never Say Goodbye, Whatever Happened to the Night, Beautiful Sunrise, Beyond Love Itself, New Generation, A Haunting
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