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Boyd Bennett (December 7, 1924–June 2, 2002) was an American rockabilly songwriter and singer.
His two biggest hit singles, both written and performed by him, were "Seventeen" with his band, the Rockets (U.S. No. 5); and "My Boy, Flat Top" (U.S. No. 39). "Seventeen" reached No. 16 in the UK Singles Chart in December 1955. He later became a disc jockey in Kentucky.
Bennett was inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame for his contribution to the genre.
Bennett was born in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, but attended high school in Tennessee and formed his first band there. He grew up in North Davidson, Tennessee, just outside Nashville. His family was musically oriented and very talented. His grandfather taught members of churches within the community how to read music. He also taught Boyd by the age of four years how to read the notes in music, before Boyd could actually read song lyrics. Growing up during the Great Depression, Bennet did anything he could to make money. He sang in quartets and played guitar and sang outside of bars for extra funds. At the age of 16, however, his career was interrupted by World War II in which he served for four years; and in his free time perfected his playing of the guitar.
After World War II, Bennet worked as a disc jokey and a TV announcer. It was during this time that he started his band, The Rockets. With this band he performed and produced his two biggest songs: "Seventeen", one of the first songs to target teenage girls in rock and roll; and "My Boy, Flat Top" aimed at teenage boys. "Seventeen", his most popular single which sold over three million copies, launched his career. Bennet traveled around the world and played with many new bands. He is considered by many to be a pioneer of rock. He was inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame before his death in 2002.
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