Music was something he became determined to build a career from, and at the age of 17, with his guitar slung over his back, Benny arrived in Amsterdam to begin a four year course of study at the Academie voor Kleinkunst. He was regarded as being a bit odd at the Academie, since he claimed no ambition to be a rock star, or muscian. Moreover, Benny saw himself as what the French would refer to as a " Chansonnier. " ( A cabaret singer. )

After his final exam performance, he was taken under the direction of Nico Knapper, who was for 25 years, music & variety producer, and director with the Dutch broadcasting company VARA.

In 1975 Benny recorded his first album, and single for Dureco: " Ik Wilde Als Orpheus Zingen. "
( I Had To Sing Like Orpheus ). Later to become something of a collectors item, and subsequently re-issued, in the beginning, the album was reported to have sold a meer 300 copies. Hardly an impressive start.

Nevertheless, in 1975, as a result of his debut album, Benny was invited to compete in the Oostende Songfestival. He took the first prize. Sales of the album, and two subsequent singles from it improved, but not sufficient to become hits. Clearly, Benny was not finding much success with Dureco.

In 1978, Benny signed a management deal with Spring Management. Soon afterwards he was offered a contract with CNR Records, and from there, a new album was to be produced each year.

His debut for CNR was an album called " Samen Zijn We Rijk " ( Together We Are Rich ), and a single - " Lotje "

Thanks to the agressive marketing approach of his management and record companies, Benny soon came to the attention of Dutch radio and television, his records were frequently played on numerous regional and national radio stations, and Benny became a regular guest on popular TV shows such as TROS TV's Op Volle Toeren.

He was often to be seen performing his latest releases, providing the musical interlude, on Dutch TVs numerous talkshows. He went on to enjoy a string of sucesses thereafter for several years. His songs featured his own self-penned lyrics set to some of the worlds most beautiful melodies. In 1980, Benny's 7th single for CNR, " Ik Weet Niet Hoe "
( I Know Not How ) hit number 5 in the Dutch charts.

In 1983, while in Amsterdam, Benny met Hans van Barnveld, who was to become his life-partner, and later his manager.

Hans van Barnveld & Benny