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Roger Bennett Passes Away

Posted on Mar 17, 2007

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Roger Bennett Passes Away
Written: 03/17/2007
Author: SGN

Category: News & Scoops
Comments: 29
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Roger Bennett, member of Legacy Five, passed away this morning after a long battle with leukemia. He was 48 years old.

Pianist and vocalist Roger Bennett joined the Cathedrals in November of 1979. This represented the fulfillment of a lifelong dream for Roger. Southern Gospel Music was truly his desire in life. Over the years Roger received many awards presented by his fans and peers, but the most special and memorable thing for him was the outpouring of love and prayers when he was diagnosed with leukemia in 1995. "My family and I literally depended on God everyday to get us through. And God used our music family to keep us encouraged. Our lives have been touched so much by their love and concern." Roger and his wife Debbie lived in Thompson's Station, TN, with their children Chelsea and Jordan.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

UPDATE: Read Debbie Bennett's message here.

Daywind Press:
Legendary pianist and Daywind Recording artist, Roger Bennett passed away this morning from complications resulting from a long battle with leukemia. At the age of 48, he died peacefully at MD Anderson in Houston, TX.

Roger is well known from his years as the pianist for the Cathedral Quartet. After the Cathedrals’ retirement in 1999, Roger, along with fellow Cathedrals’ member, Scott Fowler, formed a brand new quartet, Legacy Five. “Roger is my best friend, and I will miss him terribly; but I am glad he is finally free from the prison of disease,” stated Scott.

“Roger exemplified true Christianity, true musicianship and true leadership in his time here. We will miss our dear friend, and we look forward to the time when we will all be together again in Eternity,” said Ed Leonard, President of Daywind Music Group.

Norman Holland, Vice President of Daywind Music Group, remembers Roger by saying, “I have never seen a more courageous person than Roger. He was a shining star and true hero. I consider it a privilege to have been associated with him from when I first met him 25 years ago with the Cathedrals and then with Legacy Five. I had the opportunity to go to London with Roger, Debbie and Legacy Five. It was a time when I got to know Roger and Debbie even more, and it was a special time to spend with him that I will always cherish. Roger truly lived up to a higher standard, and always carried himself with great class.”

“I first met Roger 25 years ago when he was with the Cathedrals, and I had began working in the industry as a booking agent. One of the things that I will always treasure is the times when Roger and I would have lunch or breakfast together, and he would always talk about Chelsea and Jordan and what they were accomplishing. Roger was always so proud of his family. He also had a deep respect for the pioneers of the industry and their contributions to Southern Gospel music. Roger is definitely now, in his own words, a Hero of the Faith,” shared Ed Harper of The Harper Agency.

Roger is survived by his wife, Debbie; two children, Chelsea and Jordan; and his father, Doug. No arrangements have been made at this time. Details will be made available as soon as possible.