Simon's Place: Stories of the Benson Hotel

Why write a book about my memories of the Benson Hotel? Why not? Over six years of my life was devoted to making sure the Benson Hotel was safe and survived another day, and I was dedicated to doing my best to make sure that happened.

Few people are privileged enough to watch the rich and famous when they are out of town and their public is not watching. This included people like Bill Cosby romancing two young girls who appeared underage, plying them with whisky in the lobby lounge and then helping them up to his room via the elevator. This included the musical legend Bob Dylan, who I thought looked like a homeless man in need of a shower. Or the notoriously cranky Waylon Jennings with his black-clad 'good ole boy' security team rivaling that of any US president. They spent their time glaring at people, and avoiding the restaurants --- ordering only room service for all their meals. We at the Benson Were glad when they left.

There was the gracious Ella Fitzgerald in the lobby, wearing her comfortable house-slippers, greeting people and talking to them with her typical warmth and heart. There was the spider-like man unfolding himself out of the elevator, Kareem Abdul Jabar, the famous basketball player, always looking like he was in need of a few good meals. There was the adorable singer Gladys Knight, who was barely five feet tall, and how she bragged to a friend about where she was staying, as I stood nearby. "I'm at the Benson of course!" she giggled into the telephone receiver, smiling over at me.

Don DuPay