Early Years
Benmont Tench was born in Gainesville, Florida, the second child of Benjamin Montmorency Tench, Jr. and Mary Catherine McInnis Tench. His father was born and raised in Gainesville, and served as a circuit court judge.
Benmont Tench played piano from an early age and his first recital was at age six. After discovering the music of The Beatles, he ended his classical piano lessons and focused on rock and roll. He met Tom Petty for the first time at a Gainesville music store when he was 11. Petty and Tench played together as members of the Sundowners in 1964. The Tenches' garage was a frequent practice site for the band on evenings when Benmont's father was out for the evening. Benmont's mother enjoyed having the boys there, but she would check with the neighbors to make certain the music wouldn't disturb them.
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