Robin Bennett Stein
2807 Highland Avenue, #4
Santa Monica, CA 90405
310-625-9001
professor@rockstar-guitar.com

Robin Bennett Stein is a writer-director of indie movies, and a musician. Raised in New York City, he has played guitar since childhood, and throughout the 80s was lead guitar and front-man for several bands in San Francisco, Boston and Manhattan. His bands included The Lookouts, The Smash and the Homewreckers, and played such venues as CBGBs, Club Area, Danceteria, Trax and the Ritz (now Webster Hall). He was also guitarist for punk rock’s first spikey-haired black idol, Neon Leon.

During that time he also worked on production of music videos for bands including Little Steven Van Zandt, Bowie, Michael Jackson, The Jackson 5, Stray Cats, The Plasmatics, Debbie Harry, Tom Petty, The Cars, Quiet Riot, Little Richard, Bruce Springsteen and Billy Idol. In the making of a Springsteen video Bennett had to sing in place of the Boss through 100s of hours of Looma Crane rehearsal so Springsteen wouldn’t get worn out.

In his early teens he was a production assistant on the Who movie, The Kids Are Alright, directed by his brother, Jeff Stein. Later, in the early ‘90s, he worked for Frank Zappa, helping him prep for his 1992 presidential bid; and then worked as web editor for the Jimi Hendrix Foundation, which gave grants and scholarships in music education for teens, and set up the Jimi Hendrix Chair in Guitar at the Berklee School of Music in Boston.

In the late ‘80s Bennett Stein and his band members were offered record deals by two competing record labels, but he rejected those in favor of accepting an invitation to work for the actor William Hurt, which lead him into a 20-year career of acting and directing, in theater and film. This further developed his understanding of performance and showmanship. He has directed adults and children.

Along the way, Bennett Stein has maintained his passion for guitar-playing and rock music. With the arrival of a daughter, Summer Grace (now 3 ½), whom he serenades nightly with rock tuneage, he has learned the importance of passing on the torch to the next generation. He now combines an innate ability to click with youngsters with the art and joy of playing and singing rock guitar.

 

REFERENCES

Marnie and Brian Linder 310-592-5417 cell - blinder@tvoa.net

Realtor and pupils of Bennett Stein’s. They hired Bennett to teach their 6-year-old twins; then they decided to join in. Now it’s a family affair.

Dilshad Bana - 310-399-3292

Head Mistress of Westside Montessori Preschool where Bennett performs monthly.

Alice Kimm - 213.253.4740

Alice is an architect and mother of 8-year-old Rae, who takes a weekly class with her friend Isabella, daughter of Stacey Hollister.

Margaret Griffin/John Enright - 310-391-44840 - Margaret Griffin’s cell 310-880-5340

Bennett teaches their 7-yr-old daughter Maeve.

Jeff Brown - (914) 762-6560

A former guitar teacher of Bennett’s, Brown is founder of, and chief instructor at, the Westchester School of Guitar, Briarcliff Manor, New York.