Eddie Benitez

World renowned guitarist Eddie Benitez has been making news since the day he was born. According to local legend in San Juan, Puerto Rico, a strange cosmic event took place on November 11, 1962. On that day, many observed the noonday sun dance across the sky as if in some kind of celestial celebration. At that very same moment, Eddie Benitez was born to parents Carmen and Francisco in San Juan, who were having their own celebration of their new son’s arrival. Coincidence? Not a chance. We like think it as an announcement — the world was being given a one-of-a-kind gift, one worthy of heavenly applause. And so, a legend was born — with a fire dance in the sky hinting at the electrifying world music that would come forth from this humble beginning in Puerto Rico.

The world didn’t have to wait long to hear the first strains of a new age in music throbbing with a Latin beat coming from this young guitar prodigy. By age 13 Eddie Benitez already had been playing for years, had studied classical guitar for a year with Andres Segovia while living in Europe with his family, and from then on was self-taught and self-propelled. This fierce artistic independence remains a hallmark of Eddie’s creative drive. He formed his own group, Nebula, when just 12 years old and began winning local battles of the bands in Brooklyn where his family put down roots on their return to the U.S. At 14, Eddie had record companies battling for his band to sign with them, and top independent Latin Jazz Label Fania Records won that competition. Now part of the Fania All Stars, Eddie was thrust onto the world stage at Madison Square Garden in 1976, performing with legends like Tito Puente, Charlie Palmieri, Eddie Palmieri, and Mongo Santamaria. His time with Fania Records allowed him to play with the Latin greats and soak up the inspiration that enabled his own formidable talent to break out and stun audiences with his uniquely sensuous, multi-layered brand of guitar playing. His songs won instant affection from fans around the world. Always, there was an extra something in Eddie’s music that has come to be recognized as a profoundly spiritual dimension.

Eddie did something else no one else was able to even imagine — he bridged Latin Jazz with the NYC punk rock scene and performed at the famous punk rock club, CBGB’s, becoming first Latin recording artist to perform there in the 70s. Eddie was as much at home hanging with the likes of Debbie Harry and The Ramones as with the godfathers of Latin jazz. It would be a mistake to try to typecast Eddie’s music and influence — he has always traveled several paths at once, with ease. Nightlife, Eddie Benitiez’ first LP, was released in 1976 when he was just 14. The record quickly went gold. At 15 he released his second LP, Essence of Life, which also went gold. Both albums were produced by famed producer Louie Ramirez. Eddie’s close friend Nancy O’Neill joined him as lead singer for Nebula, further distinguishing the group’s unique sound. By the age of 16 he had toured the world four times. During this time he also established himself as a master percussionist. Eddie learned his Latin percussion rhythms directly from greats like Mongo Santa Maria and Tito Puente in his teen years.

In 1980 Eddie left Fania records for the expanded horizons of innovative label Island Records, where he honed his producing skills and worked for two years on a new LP. That LP’s completion was interrupted when Eddie faced the greatest challenge of his young life. He was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 23. After three-years of treatments Eddie was told that he had only three months left to live. What happened next was completely unexpected: Eddie received a dramatic spiritual vision during which a complete healing occurred. His cancer was spontaneously healed, baffling his doctors. Eddie lived, but his life would change forever.

His health regained, Eddie went into seclusion for a few years to focus on his spirituality. Later he was involved with producing Latin freestyle music for a year, after which he put Nebula back together and toured. After touring he began experiencing a lot of spiritual encounters, including experiences sometimes referred to as paranormal. All of these things brought him to focus on gaining insight and developing the spiritual gifts that had been present in him since childhood.
These were things he had kept well under wraps before this. Eddie has always seen spirits — angels and what we call ghosts and other entities. He was aware of angelic presences and help throughout his life. Now, the musician who had been miraculously healed of cancer became a instrument of healing himself for many others while living in Miami — healings he attributes to a person’s faith in God, seeing himself only as someone who points the way and assists people. In fact, the demands for healing assistance became so great, threatening to overshadow his personal life and work as a musician; he fled Miami to the relative peace of Arizona. But there awaited other dramatic spiritual events.

On Feb. 2, 2001, Eddie’s health again took center stage in his life when he experienced a massive heart attack. Again, he recovered completely, astonishing his doctors. Spiritual growth was Eddie’s main concern over the next couple of years, but dramatic occurrences were never far off. A major episode took place when he moved into a house in Tempe, Arizona. There a haunting took place that became a featured episode on the Discovery Channel series, A Haunting. In “Casa de los Muertos,” the story of a demonic entity possessing his son, Eddie Jr., is recreated. The episode, which also features Eddie’s music, continues to be shown worldwide.

Today Eddie’s music and his spirituality are inseparable. He has opened up and speaks freely about his spiritual experiences, the teachings he has received firsthand from angels about living well with faith in God and Jesus, and he minces no words in debunking false spiritualities that captivate people and draw them away from God. His music is inspired directly from the heavens and comes to him purely and directly. So much so, his critically acclaimed 2008 independent release, Lovers Never Say Goodbye was created and recorded in less than a week. Eddie does not write beforehand, but enters the studio and allows himself to receive the inspiration and create the music on the spot. That release garnered Eddie a whole new generation of fans around the world, with fans frequently commenting on the healing and spiritual qualities of the music. Besides creating passionate music that he feels people will be able to enjoy, Eddie also gives lectures on the paranormal and is equally passionate about discrediting things like UFOs, along with false psychics and mediums who prey on the vulnerabilities of people in need. Issues of the heart for Eddie are the protection of children and domestic violence. He is a sought after radio guest and host, a natural raconteur who entertains with humor, drama and passionate beliefs alongside his music.

2009 brought the exciting news that Eddie has signed with Nu Groove Records, a division of Sony Records, and is currently working on a new CD for release later this year. Look for World Music on a new level, with electrifying performances from Eddie later this year. In recent times audiences have claimed to see angelic beings on the stage with Eddie when he performs, giving rise to the name of his upcoming concert series and his soon to be released biography, Angels On My Stage. Eddie’s 2009 tour will give the public a rare opportunity to experience the excitement and passion of an Eddie Benitez concert showcasing his new CD. His biographical book will invite fans behind the scenes into an intimate look at his music, personal life, and spirituality — including a controversial and groundbreaking section presenting “Conversations with Gabriel” — yes, the Angel Gabriel. Don’t miss a beat or a page!