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Al Benson

1908–1978

United States

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Biography

Arthur Bernard Leaner (June 30, 1908 – September 6, 1978), who was known professionally as Al Benson, was an American radio DJ, music promoter and record label owner in Chicago between the 1940s and 1960s. He was particularly significant for his promotion of rhythm and blues music and black involvement in the recording industry in Chicago. Leaner was also an ordained minister and activist, and became an important figure in the civil rights movement in Chicago.

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Biography text · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source checked 2026-10-13

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