“I told Ibanez, ‘You make wonderful instruments, but you have nothing original.’ They said, ‘That’s why we’re here’”: How George Benson helped take Ibanez to the next level in the late-’70s

George Benson & Band, George Benson, Guitarist, Jazz, USA, performs on July 16, 2013, at Admiralspalast, Berlin, Germany .

George Benson and Ibanez go way back. Having worked together on a range of signature guitars across a four-decades-long relationship, the Breezin' guitarist and the Japan-turned-global guitar brand have become inextricably linked.

However, before partnering with Ibanez, Benson was mostly using Guild guitars. But after his deal turned sour and he couldn't get any guitar brand on the phone, it was Ibanez who recognized his talent and potential knack for innovative ideas that would go on to transform the brand forever.