He Saved the "Give Me The Night" Solo

Session guitar legend, Lee Ritenour, tells the story of how he ended up overdubbing part of George Benson’s solo on the hit song “Give Me The Night”. Ritenour was told to NEVER tell Benson about this-and after years of secrecy- Ritenour couldn’t keep this story to himself any longer. This video is one part of our upcoming "The Guitarist Behind..." interview with Lee Ritenour - please subscribe and turn on notifications so you know when the full interview releases!
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CREDITS
Host/Producer: Mason Marangella
Guest: Lee Ritenour
Videographer: Ricky Chavez
Video Editing: Mason Mejia
Co-Production/Design: Mason Mejia
Audio Editing: Hunter Harrison
#leeritenour #georgebenson #givemethenight #theguitaristbehind

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Did you enjoy this story about "Give Me The Night"? Make sure you're subscribed and stay tuned for the full interview dropping next week! Also, buy Lee's new record, "Brasil": bit.ly/3U87sdz

[@fleetfingers]

Gotta tell ya, Lee's voice was recorded wonderfully in this interview.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

@@fleetfingers Shotgun mics all day! Thank you Sennheiser!

[@geoffredrup9616]

Love this story as I was a 18 when this album came out. Was into Benson even younger through Weekend in LA & Breezin'. Also listened to Lee back then too, in his own right and loved how he was ghost playing the guitar when you played the isolated bars!

[@danaeverhart6487]

Lee is a badass guitarist! With Larry Carlton by his side , they are incredible!

[@CPaiva99]

They are all legends ! 🎉🎉

[@OGCAMG]

One thing that impresses me the most about all these legends is how humble they all are and how much they respect all their fellow practitioners!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Yes, indeed!

[@kentstallard6512]

True for the majority for sure. I'm a pro keyboardist in the Phoenix area and George lives here. Comes out to listen to local artists. As nice and humble as he can be. Everyone has a selfie with him.

[@tyler_]

I have to assume there were a couple of really nice dudes at the top who completely set the vibe. The atmosphere was highly competitive, but once you made it, everyone just seemed to love being around each other.

[@mrgood8378]

Humility is a shared trait of talented people.

[@mrchill3007]

Facts 💯💯..... A few are jerks...but most are really humble 👍👍

[@stickman55100]

Lee Ritenour is such an incredible player and a real legend.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Yes, indeed!

[@user-ew3eo1np2c]

My idol guitarist,and of course who doesnt know 'Is it you'

[@MakeSomeNoiseAgencyPlaylists]

Just listened to "Rio Funk" the other day....legendary

[@Kevinschart]

He just popped up on my Spotify. Great catalogue of music. Funny that I never heard of him before

[@josaczyn]

So underrated!

[@jmcdrummer]

Hi, Lee, this is Jim Currie (drummer)...we played many casual gigs together when you were about 18-19-20..I .also worked with Peter Woodford in those days. Good to see you doing this interview. Your old bass player, Mel, lived in my condo complex years ago and I knew his wife,who would fill me in on his latest gigs with you. Small world !!

[@djGreenALERT]

Hands up who after watching this video is going to listen to Give me the night in it's entirety again, paying special attention to the last few bars of the solo? That is a GREAT story from a great legend by the way. Thank you so much for uploading this!

[@RichDaDa]

I'm gonna listen the song right now as well... what an amazing story 👏🏽👏🏽 thanks guys

[@maha77]

As a teenager in the 80's, I think 'Give Me The Night' is my absolute favorite song of the 80's, and man I loved all those 80's songs, but this song makes my heart feel amazing

[@MusicMotivator]

Roxy Music, Hall and Oates..actual great songs not the hair metal that was to come

[@beneunson]

You're literally chronicling the history of recorded guitar!! Incredible work

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Wow, thanks Ben!!!

[@hellofx]

I also heard that Quincy forced George to do something he didn't want to . . .

[@motorlibro]

too bad Rick Beato already has a good grip on this type of content.

[@kentstallard6512]

​@@motorlibroThis is different. I subscribed after the 2nd video. (Subscribed to Beato too.)

[@johnjohn-rj7gh]

HE'S NOT "LITERALLY" DOING ANYTHING. LEARN ENGLISH!

[@ebeyslough]

Lee Ritenour is incomparable. The best of the best.

[@charleswilson9654]

Underrated. But few can beat Lee. His fingers are on that fingerboard everyday.

[@JensLarsen]

What a great story! Thanks Mason (and Lee of course)

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Thanks Jens! Keep up the great work!

[@user-ew3eo1np2c]

Thanks too Mason

[@michaelmcgannon5588]

Lee total pro. Incredible good humor! Incredible, deep player! A real role model and hero.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Yes, indeed!

[@BarneyRq1d]

Lee Legend.

[@WilliamDaugherty]

Lee is a national treasure! Thanks for producing this delightful interview.

[@rodleaverton]

OMG! I’m so happy you got Lee on here. So excellent!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Thanks for watching! Be sure to subscribe so you get notified when the full interview releases!

[@nanicattack]

Rit's such a down to earth humble giant.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

It's was great to hang out with him for a few hours!

[@kentstallard6512]

Benson is too.

[@desertstar223]

Rit? Rit? His name is Lee. Short and sweet. You gonna call George Benson 'Ben' now. Aaaaagh!

[@ERAPOSORESERVA]

These interviews are incredible! Keep them coming!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Thanks for watching! Be sure to subscribe so you get notified when the full interview releases!

[@diegomaugeri4038]

Finally! someone interviewing the greatest guitar player of all time!!! In this age of top ten here and top 5 there, Lee Rit is always criminally overlooked.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Especially as a session ace!

[@ralphtoles8642]

You probably missed the interview a few years ago with Rit and Dave Grusin while they were on a jazz cruise. A great one as well!

[@arlo2203]

RIT!!! IS IT YOU?? love this dude.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

❤️

[@kentstallard6512]

Great story. Lee seems like a really nice guy. I'm a pro keyboardist in the Phoenix area. George lives here and he drops in to music venues frequently. Everyone has a selfie with him. I did a show with a 4-piece band + vocals prior to the pandemic at a local club. George attended with (the late, sadly) Joni Sledge. We covered "LoveXLove." I handled the primary parts and included strings but didn't play it note-for-note like the original. Afterwards I was chatting with him and apologized for not duplicating the record. He laughed. "Hell, we don't do it like the record at our shows either!" Totally down to earth, humble guy. Mason...you are an excellent interviewer because you don't interrupt and your questions are the ones we all want to hear answered.

[@Donna-ff3ek]

Lucky you!! These legends are priceless and grateful for their music. Thanks 4 sharing.

[@kentstallard6512]

@@Donna-ff3ek Thanks. Glad you found it worthwhile. I agree. Very lucky to be able to be a musician and interact with talented people.

[@frankf.6639]

Lee Ritenour is such a nice person and great player…from the 80´s till now he’s one of my favorite.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

One of the best to ever do it!

[@Lyn-ky9vr]

I grew up listening to George Benson because of my dad! He used to ALWAYS listen to him back in the day when my dad had a Jerry Curl lol. peace!!!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Thanks for watching!

[@VlrGuitarWorld]

This channel has elevated to the stratosphere lately. Amazing content as always & influential to all guitar players.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Wow, thanks so much!

[@Danny-fs1hk]

Ah, that would be 100% correct!

[@kentstallard6512]

I subscribed after watching 2 videos.

[@johanponin8680]

@@VertexEffectsInc you make real good shows, thanks

[@Bryan-ct2qm]

This channel is guitar nerd heaven.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Wow, thanks! I hope so!

[@kentstallard6512]

I'm a keyboardist and am really enjoying it.

[@rgordon2691]

EXACTLY! Lol Us Guitar Nerds Love all of These videos and Interviews..especially how you are specific when it comes to the Gear and effects used

[@basausi]

Lee's creativity, accuracy and cleanliness is second to none!

[@neilmisquitta4825]

Love the way he keeps noodling on the guitar through the interview. Great man, amazing player and super solid human being

[@elmolewis9123]

I always admired Lee and this was a terrific interview with a legend.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Thanks for watching! Be sure to subscribe so you get notified when the full interview releases!

[@BadSneakers]

Rit and Larry Carlton do guitar on Steely Dan’s Deacon Blues. Crazy

[@VertexEffectsInc]

We spend quite a bit of time on Steely Dan in the full interview.

[@tel5690]

So freaking awesome in getting Lee here discussing the old studio session with George. A massive fan of Lee's work (45 years worth of music) Saw him live twice. Love his stories

[@aloysiussnailchaser272]

I love the way he occasionally kind of doodles on his guitar as he’s speaking. He clearly just loves playing.

[@pallhe]

Love this story. I can see why Quincy liked to work with Ritenour. Lee has a tone, a pocket and chops to die for -- and is a great guy to boot.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

❤️

[@ian2lorimer]

Wow! Can't wait to see the full interview. Lee is another legend and personal favourite

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Thanks for watching! Be sure to subscribe so you get notified when the full interview releases!

[@landontesar3070]

what a wonderful conversation, thank you for bringing this out

[@serpentinefire77]

Lee Ritenour, a guitar legend.

[@whatifschrodingersboxwasacofin]

Oh, man - one of my favourite albums of all time. Always loved anything with Lee Ritenour playing on it.

[@DonAlderOfficial]

Lee is one of the greats and an awesome supportive human as well.

[@kamks6054]

A big thanks to you Mason, you invited a great guitarist. So funny about the George Benson story. I love Lee, and all these albums, he was a memorable session guitarist in the 70s/80s ( Lee and Larry Carlton are the 2 guitarists I will always go to see in concert.) I have seen Lee perform multiple times in Paris, ( and I will have the chance again to see him play in Concert this summer 2024, with Dave Grusin at the New-Morning/Paris jazz club.) The last time I saw him play was with his son, in 2023, and I spoke with him at the end of the concert, ( I also told him that I was being treated for cancer since 2019 and he kindly wished me to get well and get through this illness.) So now, according to my doctor, it's 100/100 perfect, and so I would be happy to see him play again, and also to thank him personally.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Thanks for sharing this. Glad you enjoyed this little clip of the longer interview. Hope you'll come back to see the rest when it releases!

[@kamks6054]

@@VertexEffectsInc It's a pleasure, and it's sure I will see the rest of the interview. Thank you for your work.

[@kentstallard6512]

Thanks for sharing. Hope your recovery is going well.

[@kamks6054]

@@kentstallard6512 Thanks.👍

[@stephendawg1]

Can’t wait for the full interview!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Me neither!

[@CamiloVelandia]

Man!!! I'm a huge Benson fan and I didn't know any of this. Gold!!!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Great story, right!?

[@DiegoNavaja]

Capo!!!

[@pbenson56fran]

What a great story. I love Ritenour.

[@bellaireboy6782]

Seen Captain Fingers twice, what a great stage presence.

[@RaphaelAshanti]

Awesome interview and story. Both, Lee Ritenour and George Benson are delightful parts of the soundtrack of my life.🎼🎵🎶

[@strollinwitu670]

Lee has such a beautiful smile . Timeless 🙏🏾

[@DigiAudioWorkstation]

Lee Ritenour one of the greats and one of my favourites, loved the "Srolen Moments" track a whole lot.

[@scotabot7826]

Love, LOVE Lee Ritenour, and all his playing. Such a super talented man!!

[@kennethbethany5078]

Never get tired of listening to LEE!!

[@ibleebinU]

I was fortunate to have met Lee after a concert at Sculler's Jazz Club in Boston. He was very gracious, took time to converse and all smiles like he always does. Oh, and the concert was fantastic!

[@davidnorman4923]

Must have been a treat seeing and hearing these great players in the studio making historic albums working out parts and making magic happen!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

It's a real honor to be interviewing them!

[@jeffreybussmann3313]

What a cool pic of Sergio Mendes & Gilberto Gil at Kendun Recorders!!

[@n0nyabznss]

Mason, you shoud get Landau, Lukather, Paul Jackson Jr. and Huff in the same room. I remember buying Lee's Overtime DVDs and watching them constanly. What a great concert that was!

[@jaycareaga9929]

Landau doesn’t do these.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

That would be amazing, however I think Rick Beato would be more likely to host something like that. I have a hard enough time interviewing one person, LOL!

[@ShoggyPlayTv]

Nostalgic interview for me. I've been listening to Lee since the 70's and he, George Benson, Eric Gale, Carlos Santana and of course Jimi Hendrix were amongst those who influenced my guitar playing back then.

[@andrewcolon2379]

This man is one of the all time great musicians. I literally bought everything he made. I wore out my Earth run, Rit CD'S HAD to buy them twice. I admire his talents and to my last day i will probably be listening to Lee Ritenour. Happy to see him alive and well. Bless him and thanks for this great clip.

[@glennhalila8279]

I got the opportunity to see/hear George Benson and Earl Kligh together in Cincinnati Ohio in Cincinnati Music Hall! The place was packed! What a Great Guitarist and Performer! George Benson is one of the best Guitarist's in the World and for Lee Ritnenour to duplicate George Benson's sound, is a Testament to how Great Lee Ritenour is as a Studio Musician, but who also had some of his own hits from what I can remember. I had a friend who worked in the Promotional Records Department for MCA Records in the late 70's - early 80's while I was working for CBS Records doing the same thing! Those days sure were "The Good Ole Days/Nights" Great music for Romance, Both George and Lee! Thank you!

[@WahyuWidodo-fh1fp]

Lee Ritenour & George Benson are both jazz geniuses. It is amazing to listen to Lee - how humble Lee Ritenour is - So honoured to watch him performing at Java Jazz in Jakarta in 2013

[@nicholasng319]

Lee was one of the few guitarist that I listen to from my teenage days. A superb artist. 👍

[@duncanbrode381]

SOOO great to hear Lee reflect! Thanks for sharing this segment with us!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Stay tuned for the full video releasing next week! Be sure to subscribe to get notified when it releases!

[@doctorgarbonzo2525]

Rit's good friend & pier Steve Lukather {Toto} Wrote Turn your Love Around , Calif Gold! The Late great Carlos Vega Rit Drummer Graduated from Taft High W/ Lukather, The Pocaro Bros & Michael Landau from Van Nuys ,Ca

[@knifelyfe6565]

Bill Champlin, Jay Graydon and Luke wrote that tune.

[@chrismcknight5395]

David Paich of Toto wrote "Lady Love Me".

[@MrPhinn1]

What a great story. I'll think of this every time I hear the song.

[@user-du1yk7uk9v]

We are fortunate enough to be alive to be able to see and hear the creators of one of the most important period in Music history : the belle Epoque 60's 70's 80's . The music of that period (whatever the genre rock-disco-funk-soul-pop-new wave-jazz-fusion etc..)will still be here for centuries to come.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Yes!

[@Zepster77]

Exactly. So much of the music since has been heavily drawn from that period fo sho….

[@36index]

He did the solo on Brother's Johnson "Strawberry Letter 23" as well

[@VertexEffectsInc]

We talk all about it in the full interview. Be sure to subscribe and stay tuned for the release next week!

[@jordanfrancisco27]

Gold. Keep this behind the records type of interviews man. 🤌🤌🤌

[@el.aye.bee.4477]

Lee Ritenour is such a cool, nice dude, man, and a very good storyteller. I smiled through this entire clip.

[@springertube]

Great story - Lee Ritenour and George Benson are two of the very best! I hope there is a longer interview that this is just a part of?!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

🙏🙏🙏 stay tuned for the full 1.5 hour interview releasing next week that this was clipped from. Be sure to subscribe so you’re notified!

[@springertube]

@@VertexEffectsInc 👍👍

[@BretHunt]

Awesome! Have been waiting for Lee Ritenour👌🏼

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Be sure to subscribe so you're notified when the full video drops!

[@richardcruz8311]

Love hearing great stories from legends.

[@MagnusPaul1976]

This track is always on my daily playlist ! 😊

[@VertexEffectsInc]

👍

[@BadSneakers]

Great can’t wait for entire interview!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

🙏🙏🙏

[@alanblakeguitarist]

Wow great interview!! This was great! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@BillBene67]

Really enjoyable interview. Great job on this interview. You actually let Lee speak...Well done

[@rayfuller1377]

Truly one of the Best! And your show is Amazing as well!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Wow, thank you!

[@MattyK-USA]

Sitting here listening to Captain Fingers and this interview, it's just such a treat having legends like Lee recall their experiences. I was already a fan in 1977 when CF came out!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Be sure to stay tuned for the full video interview coming next week!

[@tamatitaihuka3975]

I was living in London, England, in '77-'80, shared a 'flat' with 3 guys, brought 4 albums with me, Captain Fingers, Jaco Pastorius, Al Jarreau Live and Earl Klugh.

[@MattyK-USA]

@@tamatitaihuka3975 Those were the days!!! What a great mix 🔥❤🫡 - I'd have added Sadao Watanabe as well

[@theonross357]

This is AWESOME!!

[@skellam8010]

Great interview. And great interviewer. Just enough to keep Lee talking. Nice work. Great story!

[@JimmyD718]

Awesome interview and story! Lee's fantastic 😀

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@normanwaller2924]

You're giving Rick a run for his money with these great interviews

[@n0nyabznss]

Rick who? SMH

[@jaycareaga9929]

@@n0nyabznssMost who watch musician interviews would know the op is referring to Rick Beato.

[@scottnoricsson2023]

Is it Rick or Dick?

[@n0nyabznss]

@@jaycareaga9929 Yes, I know exactly whom he was referring to. My response was that Beato isn't relevant, hence the who question.

[@jaycareaga9929]

@@n0nyabznss Rick is relevant. When you have 4 million subscribers and average 800,000 viewers then you can say who’s irrelevant.

[@messiahblack2295]

This is a wonderful interview

[@VertexEffectsInc]

🙏🙏🙏 stay tuned for the full 1.5 hour interview releasing next week that this was clipped from. Be sure to subscribe so you’re notified!

[@drewhorley]

What a great story and so good to hear the isolated tracks

[@jackprice7828]

I so love 6 String Theory album with Lee and all the greats!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Yes!!! Great record!

[@kamaboko1]

Great interview.

[@Unker_Spunkanathan]

I don't understand all these guitar stuff but I loved listening to Lee for a long time

[@VertexEffectsInc]

🙏🙏🙏 stay tuned for the full 1.5 hour interview releasing next week that this was clipped from. Be sure to subscribe so you’re notified!

[@JappaKneads]

I will never hear that solo the same way again. Never...

[@mauricehyde3516]

Great story! Two of my favorite guitar players!

[@kirbyl.4646]

Fantastic stuff…. Thank you.

[@Kevin-tx4qp]

love that u let the musicians talk. thamks

[@EricBadong]

Lee’s eyes are always smiling. 🙂

[@MrPhinn1]

They are. He comes across as a really good-natured guy.

[@markaprill6501]

Lee is top tier content. I just subbed. This is as good as it gets.

[@WhizMitchell]

This is great historical information, most people didn’t know that this occurred. Thanks for sharing!

[@bobboberson2024]

George is my favorite guitarist of all time. And I knew Lee was a vital part of the Give Me the Night album (and many others projects at that time). I LOVE music stories like this. They really give us a backstage pass to some of our greatest memories. The Vertex interviews are awesome content - music geeks unite! Also, you both have excellent teeth!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

🙏🙏🙏 hahaha - good genetics on the teeth I guess! Thanks for watching!

[@sebastianwatson1558]

Lee is a phenomenal musician! His RIT album will always be a part of my early adult musical growth

[@artfartzy]

Both albums RIT 1 and RIT 2 is really great

[@johntaylor8829]

Great story and great artists. Two of my favorites!!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Stay tuned for the full 1.5 hour interview releasing next week that this was clipped from. Be sure to subscribe so you’re notified!

[@dcaseng]

What an amazing song, still fascinating to break down even after all these years.

[@dongorgon4168]

Thank you! WOW

[@michaelgottlieb9083]

Great stroy....great track....excellent album....probably GB's best pop album of all time...luscious sound quality....kudos to Lee...Rod Temperton and Patti Austin too...

[@MRabbott13]

Love the channel Mason! Keep it up. Hope the family is well.

[@rickybahar9134]

Man this is so so cool.. Like many of us enjoying the back story on Give me the Night...I too grew up on this tune and the entire album... Which has awesome tunes. Thanks for the walk down memory lane...

[@nellblake5015]

AWESOME!!!!!!!!!! : )

[@Arkangel1966mc]

Wow thats awesome 👌 👏

[@zemezee8883]

thank you very much !!!

[@MaryKayPinkLady24]

Captain Fingers (Countdown) will always be my favorite Lee Ritenour cut. I also loved his tribute album to Wes Montgomery, Wesbound. Much love,

[@justingutube]

One of the best songs of all times!

[@SorayasFierceCookingShow]

Lovely!

[@jazzfan7491]

Fascinating. What a pro.

[@deeglencairn2598]

love this channel and the incredible artists interviewed one of my favourite grooves ever is Lees song Is it you.. Keep up the great work 👏👏

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Wow, thanks!

[@deeglencairn2598]

@@VertexEffectsInc Im spreading the word down under here in Australia on your great channel 👍