Benjamin Bill Taft Brian Halloran Todd Butler Coleman Lewis Tim Campion Will Fratesi
Smoke was a band from the
Cabbagetown neighborhood of
Atlanta, Georgia that dissolved in 1999 with the death of writer/singer
Benjamin. Benjamin was the subject of Peter Sillen and
Jem Cohen's documentary Benjamin Smoke (2000).
History
The group formed during the demise of the
Opal Foxx Quartet, starting with
Benjamin on vocals, Bill Taft on cornet and banjo, Brian Halloran on cello, and Todd Butler on guitar. Coleman Lewis and Tim Campion later joined on guitar and drums, respectively, followed by Will Fratesi on drums.
Their last show was New Year's Eve, 1998.
Benjamin died January 29, 1999.
Bill Taft and Will Fratesi went on to form
Hubcap City, who are still active in the Atlanta area.
Former guitarist Coleman Lewis died from a heroin overdose in May 2014.[1]