Music icon Nigel Benjamin, the legendary vocalist who famously fronted Mott the Hoople (Mott), London, and Satyr, will be honored with a public celebration of life on Sunday, 29 November, at the historic Rainbow Bar & Grill in West Hollywood.
Benjamin passed away in 2019 at his home in Pine Mountain Club, California. Following
extended family deliberations regarding his final resting arrangements, a definitive memorial and
send-off has been orchestrated by his daughter, Kristy Benjamin, alongside longtime musical
brother and collaborator Richie Onori.
Onori, a close friend of Benjamin for over 40 years and the drummer for multi-platinum glam
rock group The Sweet for the past two decades, recognized Benjamin’s rare brilliance early on.
In the 1980s, while leading the rock outfit Satyr, Onori convinced Benjamin to leave Nikki Sixx’s
precursor group, London, to join his band, forging a lifelong personal and creative brotherhood.
"Nigel and I worked together across several projects, including Satyr, Eyes, and
Future," said Richie Onori. "Much like Mott, I recognized immediately that Nigel
was a musical genius. He was an amazing vocalist, composer, and a completely
unique talent. It is finally time we gather to honor his life, his incredible voice, and
his legacy.” - Richie Onori
The memorial will feature an extensive retrospective of Benjamin's vast sonic discography,
meticulously archived by his daughter Kristy and keyboardist Scott Walton, who also performed
with Benjamin. Attendees will journey through his full career, including tracks from Mott, Royce,
English Assassin, Satyr, London, Eyes, Future, his solo catalog, and his starring role in the 1984
cult horror classic film Rocktober Blood.
Memorial Event Schedule – Sunday, 29 November:
• Location: Rainbow Bar & Grill, Sunset Strip, West Hollywood
• Doors Open (Public Welcome): 3:00 PM
• Eulogy & Stories: 5:00 PM
• Music & Celebration: Open-ended
The memorial event is free and open to the public, welcoming friends, peers, and fans to pay
their respects to one of the Sunset Strip's most unforgettable personalities.
Following the public celebration, family and close friends will gather privately the next day to
fulfill Benjamin's final wishes, scattering his ashes at his longtime mountain home in Pine Mountain, California, marking his final bow.
Media Contact & Inquiries:
The Nigel Benjamin Estate
Email: nigelbenjaminofficial@gmail.com
Richie Onori
Email: richieonori@sbcglobal.net