Grandpa Had a Long One
A native Lower East Sider best known for his quirky hit song, "Shaving Cream."
Over the years, Manhattan's Lower East Side has produced a number of famous artists, including Luther Vandross. But, little is heard about those who made it only to the fringe of success. Benny Bell was born and raised on the Lower East Side and dreamed of being the next Irving Berlin. He wrote and sung hundreds of songs, many of them novelty tunes. But, Bell's music career never fully took off.
On this week's Cityscape, Bell's grandson Joel Samberg shares his granddad's story. Samberg has written a book about his grandfather called Grandpa Had a Long One: Personal Notes on the Life, Career and Legacy of Benny Bell.
