Friends gather to honor local musician found killed

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Wilmington’s music community joined together tonight to honor the life of a musician who was killed a week ago.

Ben Privott was found dead near his home in a neighborhood off of Market Street April 22.

“Dos Equis didn’t have anything on it,” friend James Doss said. “He’s the most interesting man in the world.”

That’s why there was a full house at Satellite Bar and Lounge Sunday to honor the life of musician Ben Privott.

Friends like Doss and family celebrated Privott’s life through the music he loved.

“You know, musically, music’s kind of one thing that ties us all together in the community, and Ben played with so many different people,” Doss said.

Privott was known around the city as a musician and realtor, but bandmate Carson Jewell said he had many talents.

“He was a gardener, he raised bees, chickens, he was a skier, paraglider, hiker, camper, an Eagle Scout, and he was just a really fantastic guy all the way around,” Jewell said.

A guy admired by many.

“The nicest, most fun-loving person you’ve ever seen,” Doss said. “He was a great friend and a great family man.”

Friends say they hope to honor him by living life the way he did.

“The thing about Ben was he was keeping positive vibes alive in Wilmington and always doing a good thing,” Jewell said. “Everybody needs to try an pick up where he left off and try and be good people.”

Doss said. “If everybody could strive to be half the person as Ben was, then we’d all have a much happier place to be in.”

Privott’s band also performed a song he was working on when he died.