That very night in late September, Benson stepped on stage to a sold out and packed Roxy. The title implied a happeningРІР‚вЂњan event that was not to be missed.

Ultimately, not wanting to apply a common and yet all too mundane moniker like George Benson Live at the Roxy, which is a style that has been used to name other albums recorded live at The Roxy, rather LiPuma settled on George Benson Weekend in L.A. In conversation with Benson, LiPuma agonized over what to name the album and pondered a few ideas. After rehearsal, Benson met with the late producer Tommy LiPuma to work out stage sounds and board mixes. He quickly rehearsed the setlist and worked out any kinks to create a flawless show. Upon BensonРІР‚в„ўs arrival, he was met by his well rehearsed and longtime band, which consisted of Stanley Banks on Bass, Ronnie Foster on synthesizer, the late Ralph MacDonald on percussion, Phil Upchurch on rhythm guitar, Harvey Mason on drums, and the late Jorge Dalto on piano. In a short time, The Roxy had emerged as the venue of choice for up and coming artists to showcase their talents to a consuming audience bent on catching a glimpse of the new hot thing. The theatre on Sunset,Р’В commonly known as The Roxy, was founded by producers and Hollywood insiders Lou Adler, Elmer Valentine, David Geffen, Elliot Roberts, and Peter Asher who together opened its doors for business just four years earlier. On the afternoon of September 30 th, Benson made his way up Sunset Boulevard amid fancy cars, infamous traffic, Hollywood sunshine, larger-than-life billboards, palm tree-lined streets, and of course a bit of that iconic L.A. Attracting new and larger audiences for his live performances, Benson was indeed primed to deliver for a slick and beautifully complex L.A. Benson, for the first time, effectively crossed over from the jazz genre solidly into the world of R&B and pop. His sure-fire vocals and scats, which mirrored his guitar melodies and jazz riffs, catapulted him into the upper echelon of R&B crooners of the era. Los Angeles was indeed primed and ready to receive a George Benson performance.Р”Р„ year prior, BensonРІР‚в„ўs popularity reached the zenith of his career with the release of his hit single РІР‚СљThis MasqueradeРІР‚Сњ from his two time Grammy award winning album BreezinРІР‚в„ў. The months leading up to BensonРІР‚в„ўs performance on the night of September 30 th at the Roxy Theatre, Angelinos had not only witnessed the inauguration of President Jimmy Carter with the rest of America, but locally experienced remarkable events that ranged from the unforgettable imagery of NASAРІР‚в„ўs Space shuttle Enterprise soaring across the sky piggy-backed on a Boeing 747 jet, experiencing the frenzy of the redefining sci-fi soon to be juggernaut film Star Wars, to welcoming Mayor Tom Bradley-arguably the most politically and socially significant person west of the Rockies in the РІР‚В70s-into his second term, collectively breathed a sigh of relief with the capture of the sick РІР‚СљFreeway KillerРІР‚Сњ all while watching new DodgersРІР‚в„ў manager Tommy Lasorda lead his team into the NLCS*. At the time, Los Angeles was in the midst of creating incredible historic and enduring moments. In late September of 1977 jazz guitarist and newly minted crossover R&B crooner, George Bensonlanded in Los Angeles to record his landmark live album at the legendary Roxy Theatre.

Breezin george benson lead sheet