Saxophonist Kenny G, 66, tries to end spousal support as ‘touring opportunities dry up’
Lawyers for Grammy-winning musician Kenny G filed legal papers Friday demanding that his ex-wife agree to end the $40,000 a month he has been paying her, and the saxophonist has argued that he can no longer afford it.
The 66-year-old musician, born in Seattle as Kenneth Gorelick, was married to Lyndie Benson for 21 years.
The couple divorced in 2013 and he agreed to pay her the high monthly fee.
But in September 2021, he submitted documents arguing that he could no longer send him money, and on Friday, with the case cold, his lawyers notified Benson’s lawyers.
“Kenny, now 65, has been paying Lyndie spousal support for over 9 years,” the original documents say.
Kenny G is pictured in July 2021 on his bike in his Malibu neighborhood. He is fighting to end spousal support, arguing that he can no longer pay it.
The musician and his wife Lyndie Benson are seen at their home in June 1992.
‘Kenny is a Grammy Award winning saxophonist with a long and successful career and over 15 albums.
However, as explained in Kenny’s attached statement, over the last 2-3 years, Kenny’s touring opportunities, where he earns the most income, have not only decreased, but his percentage of earnings has also decreased. of the tours
“Kenny’s income has decreased substantially since 2018.”
His legal team, led by prominent divorce lawyer Laura Wasser, did not specify how much the musician was worth.
At the time of their divorce, it was widely reported that she was worth $50 million.
He has paid his ex-wife $3.9 million since 2013, his lawyers said.
“Lyndie is 57 years old and, to the best of Kenny’s knowledge, in good health,” his lawyers wrote in his initial complaint.
‘Lyndie has refused to be fully self-sufficient for almost 10 years.
“Kenny shouldn’t have to continue to bear the burden of his refusal to do so.”
Kenny G is seen in July 2021 playing at Charles Krug Winery presented by The Blue Note, in Napa Valley. He claims that he no longer tours regularly.
Kenny G and Michael Bolton on stage in Chicago in August 1992
The Seattle-born musician rides a bike near his Malibu home in July 2021
Her lawyers say she launched a clothing company, Bleusalt, but refused to hand over financial documentation related to the business.
In May 2022, Forbes interviewed her, describing her as a ‘thriving fashion label’ of ‘Malibu-inspired chic essentials’.
She told the magazine: ‘I’ve always been obsessed with beautiful cashmere and head-to-toe ensembles from Loro Piana and Bamford. Fancy clothes that looked good on the beach for a bonfire and just as good when you were at Nobu for dinner.
“So once I found the fabric and perfected it for Bleusalt, the inspiration had already been fully realized in my daily life and aesthetic.”
He is trying to end the payments altogether, or reduce them substantially.
He is also asking the court to remove the requirement that he keep payments on a life support policy, which was guaranteed under the divorce.
Kenny G is the best-selling instrumental artist in history and next month he’s performing in Las Vegas.
With 11 platinum albums and eight others that have achieved multi-platinum status, Kenny G is one of the most successful artists, according to the Recording Industry Association of America.
He appeared on The SpongeBob Movie soundtrack and has collaborated with Kanye West and Katy Perry.
In 2021, HBO made a documentary about his life and music, Listening to Kenny G.
Kenny G, wife Lyndie Benson and sons Max and Noah
The following year, he appeared in a Super Bowl ad for Busch Light beer, his second Super Bowl ad, after appearing for Audi in 2011.
In 2022, he said Forbes he didn’t mind being made fun of for being everywhere.
“If I’m the butt of the joke, if it’s funny, I love it,” he says, recalling how in the movie Wayne’s World, a dentist traded novocain for his music, how in South Park his music “makes everyone shit in their mouths.” pants”. ‘, or how Saturday Night Live mocked him for a duet he did with Frank Sinatra.
‘It doesn’t bother me because it’s really fun.’