Dave Benton

Dave Benton (born Efrén Eugene Benita on January 31, 1951) is an Aruban-born Estonian pop singer. He is best known for winning the Eurovision Song Contest in 2001 with the upbeat song “Everybody,” performed alongside Estonian rock singer Tanel Padar and the group 2XL. At age 50, Benton made history as the oldest singer ever to win Eurovision. He also became the first black artist to win the contest.

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Born and raised in Oranjestad, Aruba, Dave Benton grew up speaking multiple languages, including English, Dutch, Spanish, and Papiamento. As a young man he married and had a daughter in Aruba, but in his twenties he moved to the United States to pursue his music career. There he gained experience as a drummer and backing vocalist, performing with famous acts such as The Drifters, Tom Jones, Billy Ocean, José Feliciano, and The Platters. In 1981, Benton even represented the Netherlands Antilles in the OTI Song Festival (a Latin American song contest) with a Spanish-language song “Vaya un amigo,” though he finished near the bottom that year. These early experiences honed his talents and exposed him to diverse musical styles.

Moving to Europe and Life in Estonia

In the 1980s, Benton settled in the Netherlands and continued his entertainment career across Europe. During a cruise ship gig, he met an Estonian singer named Maris, who later became his wife. Benton moved to Estonia in 1997 to start a new life with her, and the couple had two daughters in Estonia. Embracing his new home, Benton learned to speak Estonian and eventually became an Estonian citizen. He remained a truly international artist, fluent in many languages and performing in various Northern European countries. Benton even starred in a German musical called City Lights and was asked to replace legendary singer Engelbert Humperdinck on an Australian tour; a sign of the high regard for his vocal talent. By the late 1990s, he had begun recording and producing his own music, including one album in his native Papiamento language that reflected his Caribbean roots.

Eurovision Song Contest 2001 Triumph

Dave Benton achieved international fame in 2001. Early that year, he teamed up with Tanel Padar and the Estonian boy-band 2XL to enter Eurolaul 2001, Estonia’s national final for Eurovision. Their catchy pop song “Everybody” won the competition, earning the right to represent Estonia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2001 in Copenhagen. On May 12, 2001, Benton took the Eurovision stage. To the delight of millions of viewers, Estonia won the contest with 198 points, marking the country’s first ever Eurovision victory. Benton was 50 years old at the time; a fact that made him the oldest Eurovision winner in history. It was also a historic win because Benton became the first black singer to win the Eurovision Song Contest. This triumph turned Dave Benton into a national hero in Estonia and a notable figure in pop music across Europe. 

Musical Career After Eurovision

Following his Eurovision success, Benton continued to build a diverse music career, releasing new albums and songs that showcased his range. In late 2001 he released From Monday to Sunday, a pop album that included a mix of upbeat tracks and even Spanish-language influences. He followed up with Humanity Through Harmony in 2003, an album that emphasized unity and melody. Benton also explored classic jazz and swing standards. In 2006 he paid tribute to a legend with the album History I: Dave Benton Sings Nat King Cole, covering Nat King Cole’s famous songs in his own smooth style. That same year, he released another collection of songs titled Generations (2006), and a sequel Generations, Volume 2 in 2007, indicating his sustained creativity and collaboration with musicians across generations.

Benton became especially known in Estonia for his holiday music and performances. In 2009, he released a Christmas album called Aastaid oodatud jõulud (Estonian for “Years Awaited Christmas”) as part of his Generations series. This album featured beloved Christmas classics, some performed in Estonian and other languages, showcasing Benton’s ability to bridge cultures. He continued the festive theme with Christmas With Love in 2013, another album filled with holiday songs and heartfelt vocals. Every December, Benton would also organize and perform in magical Christmas concerts around Estonia’s churches, creating a special atmosphere for audiences. These annual concerts became a cherished tradition in Estonia, reinforcing Benton’s image as a bringer of holiday spirit.

Comeback

After a brief quieter period, Dave Benton made a comeback with new music in the late 2010s. In 2019 he released Wintertime and Christmas Songs I, returning to the seasonal theme that his fans love. He also ventured into cross-genre collaborations: in 2021 Benton recorded a single called “Try To Remember” in collaboration with classical guitarist Boris Björn Bagger and the Ettlingen Mandolin Orchestra, blending his soulful voice with orchestral strings. The next year, in 2022, he released “Changes / Un cambio den mi bida”, a bilingual single (English and Papiamento) whose title means “A change in my life.” This reflective song drew on his Caribbean roots and life experiences. 

Personal Life and Other Ventures

Dave Benton’s personal life is as rich as his professional career. He has been married twice. His first marriage in Aruba produced one daughter, and later he married Maris in Estonia, with whom he has two daughters. Benton fully embraced his adopted country. He learned Estonian and eventually obtained Estonian citizenship. One of his daughters, Sissi, followed in his musical footsteps. She is a singer who nearly represented Estonia at Eurovision in 2021. In fact, Sissi competed in Eesti Laul 2021 and impressively finished in second place with her song “Time”. 

Beyond music recording, Benton has been a familiar face on television and in public life. In 2010, he charmed Estonian TV audiences as a celebrity contestant on Tantsud tähtedega. It’s the local version of Dancing with the Stars. He showcased his dancing skills and endearing personality on the show, further endearing himself to the public. Benton has also tried his hand at acting. He has appeared in a few films with small roles, including the Estonian comedy “The Dissidents” (2017) and a 2024 film titled “Infinite Summer”. These appearances showed his willingness to explore different entertainment fields.

Dave Benton expanded into concert production and community events. In 2001, he founded his own company (DB Investments OÜ) to organize his concerts and tours. He took control of his live performances and career management. For 20 years he produced popular Christmas concert tours across Estonia, often featuring local choirs and even his family members on stage. Benton noted that he organized these annual concerts not for profit, but to bring people the joy of the holiday spirit. After two decades, he decided to step back. However, he has stated this is not the end of his career. He continues to perform when invited, without the added stress of production duties.

Dave Benton in recent years

In his later years Benton also faced and overcame serious health challenges. In 2018, he began struggling with kidney failure, a result of a condition that had been under control for many years. His condition worsened, but in mid-2019 he received a life-saving kidney transplant from an Estonian donor, an event he credits with giving him a “second chance” at life. After recovering from the transplant, Benton made a strong recovery and was soon back on stage. By 2024, he happily announced that his health was good and that he was “back on the market” as a performer, eager to sing for audiences again.

Dave Benton’s journey from a small Caribbean island to becoming an Estonian music icon is a remarkable story of talent, adaptability, and perseverance. In 2021, Estonia invited him as a guest of honor to its national song contest, acknowledging his lasting impact on their Eurovision history. As of 2025, Dave Benton continues to delight fans with occasional performances and remains an influential figure in music.