The family moved to Detroit in 1926, and Besman began playing "sweet" jazz and dance music in hotels and resorts, leading his own small group, and made recordings in 1936.

[1][2] After the war, Besman linked up with accountant John Kaplan[3] to buy an existing company, Pan American Record Distributing, in 1946.

Musicians signed to Sensation Records included Todd Rhodes, Russell Jacquet, The Harmonicats, T. J. Fowler, and Milt Jackson.

Hooker was recorded as a solo performer, and in order to produce a stronger sound, Besman said:I knew I had to do something.

Some of Hooker's other early recordings, including "Burnin' Hell" and "Huckle Up Baby", were released on the Sensation label and became modestly successful.

[4] In 1952, Besman was diagnosed with a serious illness, sold his share in the Sensation label, and moved to Los Angeles.

[6] He also remained in the children's toy business, and in the early 1970s held the franchise for Bozo the Clown merchandise.

In 1992, Besman filed a lawsuit against the members of ZZ Top, alleging that their 1973 song "La Grange" infringed on "Boogie Chillen'" by John Lee Hooker.