WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH — In April of last year, Wilmington lost a beloved and influential member of its music scene. Monday, musicians will gather to celebrate his birthday – honoring a life that was cut short, but not forgotten.
Last year, the Satellite Bar held a musical memorial for Ben Privott, the musician and songwriter. Privott had played in local bands with many other musicians, and the event gave them the chance to honor Privott’s passing.
But this year, those who knew Privott wanted to honor his life – the bands he propelled as a drummer and the songs he loved.
Curt Pryor, owner of the Palm Room, said his venue will host the birthday celebration as the inaugural event of a new tradition.
“We’ll be doing this every year, on Ben’s birthday,” Pryor said. “There will be a lot music, it’s the best way to celebrate his life.”
Many of Privott’s former band-mates will be performing, including Brad Hodges, Jonah Citty (of ASG), Tyler Simmons, Chuck Krueger (of Thunderlip), Jesse Stockton and Sean Thomas Gerard.
Jonah Citty described the event as a “collective” of Privott’s friends and band mates, instead of a traditional line-up of set bands.
“It’s more like I’m hosting a party with all the people who have played with Ben,” Citty said. “We’ll play a few songs with this group and a few songs with that group, we’re kind of a collective that way.”
According to Citty, performers have been practicing some of Privott’s favorite songs.
“We’ve been working on some songs, definitely. I kind of want it to be a surprise at the show,” Citty said. “We had a lot to choose from. I was in a band with Ben for three or four years, and we were constantly turning each other on to new music. So, these are some of those songs, it’s kind of our celebration of him.”
Pryor said the Spiders from Mars, a David Bowie cover band, will also perform.
“Ben loved Bowie, so, it felt appropriate,” said Pryor.
The birthday celebration of Ben Privott will be held at the Palm Room, 11 E. Salisbury St., in Wrightsville Beach at 7 p.m. on Monday, June 5. The show is free, but donations for the performers will be accepted.
