Famous For: Founding 'The Spencer Davis Group' in the 1960's.
Biography: Davis performed, arranged, produced, wrote and co-wrote popular music. He became an international rock and blues legend who brought many, many top of the line talents together for several projects.
William Ian Williams of Santa Cruz California writes:
"Spencer Davis, who formed the Spencer Davis Group in August 1963 in Birmingham UK, was born in Swansea, Wales on 17th July 1942. Spencer Davis taught English before he left formal academia to form his first musical group which was called "Rhythm and Blues Quartet".
""Davis performed on guitar, vocals and harmonica, Steve Winwood on guitar, organ and vocals, Muff Winwood on bass and Pete York on drums as the Spencer Davis Group which became his most visible collaboration. His early influences were skiffle, jazz, and blues which were the mainstays of popular club music in the early 1960s. His band played first in Birmingham playing at the Golden Eagle pub on Hill Street, and then quartet performed for the first time in London at the Marquee. On March 1, 1965, the Spencer Davis Group as a unit was formalised and ready to become a part of music history.
"Spencer Davis, being fluent in German, French and Spanish helped him to become very popular performer in continental Europe. Spencer Davis was an academic and later on in music circles he was occasionally known as "Professor". Music was a bridge for Davis in his early years as he often performed on stage after his workday as a teacher was done. The very social Davis made many valuable connections with like minded people throughout his entire life. While Davis taught at Whittington Oval Junior School in Yardley during the day, he would play his 12-string at night. During this period, Davis played with Christine Perfect, later to be known as Christine McVie, later a member of the astoundingly popular Fleetwood Mac.
"The first Spencer Davis Group single was John Lee Hookers "Dimples" in August 1964, on the Phillips owned Fontana label. The band's first big hit was "Keep on Runnin' which rose to #1 on the UK charts in November 1965, thus knocking the Beatles out of first place. By then, the SDG found its rightful place in the creative pantheon that became known as the "British Invasion". In March 1966, "Somebody Help Me" was their next smash UK #1, followed by "When I Come Home" in September 1966 which was #12 in the UK, followed by "Gimme Some Lovin'" in November 1967 which was #2. Steve Winwood's January 1967's composition, "I'm A Man", reached #9 for the Spencer Davis Group. In August 1967, "Time Seller" was #30 on the UK charts and the group's first single without the Winwood brothers. "Mr. Second Class" in December 1967 reached #35 in the UK for the group and became the last of their heyday hits .
"The Spencer Davis Group toured with the Rolling Stones and The Who, and had occasion to socialise with members of the Beatles on a personal and professional level. Davis can be seen on the Beatles album "Magical Mystery Tour".
"The Ghost Goes Gear" (1966) is typical of musicals of the period. Featuring Spencer Davis Group, it is a preposterous story with marginal acting which basically serves as a vehicle for promoting the Spencer Davis Group's music machine. The dubbing direction is weak, but the entire exercise is fun to see and to hear regardless. Davis, along with Martin Lewis, made an audio commentary to go along with the 2000 Anchor Bay DVD release of the movie. "The Ghost Goes Gear" which is of the same genre as "Hold On" (1966) starring Herman's Hermits and "Having A Wild Weekend" (1965) featuring the Dave Clark Five. Incidentally, "Scooby Doo" cartoons featuring Sonny and Cher in this time more or less followed the same theme as this movie. The four Spencer Davis Group performances are a guilty pleasure and a treat for fans of pop culture.
"Spencer Davis Group appeared in a church dance sequence in the movie, "Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush", starring Judy Geeson (1967). Ex-Spencer Davis Group member Steve Winwood and his band "Traffic" shared billing on the movie after it was released.
"Blue-eyed soul singer Steven Winwood left Spencer Davis Group in April 1967 to form his own band called "Traffic" which later morphed into the Winwood led group "Blind Faith". Davis held auditions for replacing Winwood, but he rejected Reginald Dwight for the job. Reginald Dwight later changed his name to Elton John to follow his own path to international stardom.
"In 1973, Spencer Davis regrouped to record two new albums. The single "Catch Me On The Rebop" put the band back together and onto the charts again for a short while.
"During the 1970s and the 1980s, Spencer Davis worked mostly as an independent publisher and producer for Chris Blackwell, the founder of Island Records. Spencer Davis, acting as an Island executive, strengthened label talents such as Bob Marley and the Wailers, as well as 1980s pop sensation Robert Palmer. A part of Chris Blackwell's stable of talent was the Jamaican singer Jackie Edwards, who wrote the Spencer Davis Group's first three charting hits.
"Davis moved permanently to California and recorded his album "Crossfire" with special guests Dusty Springfield and Flo and Eddie in the middle 1980s. He toured a larger part of the Western world with personal and professional friend, original Spencer Davis Group drummer, Pete York.
"In the 1990s, Spencer Davis made several television and radio appearances, and performed live in Australia, Japan, Canada and the USA. Davis teamed up with Mick Pinera (formerly of Iron Butterfly), Peter Rivera (formerly of Rare Earth) and Jerry Corbetta (formerly of Sugarloaf) as the Classic Rock All-Stars in 1993. Spencer Davis left this particular musical collaboration in 1995.
" In 1994, Spencer Davis joined with Randy Meisner (formerly of the Eagles), Denny Laine (formerly of the Moody Blues), Bruce Garry (formerly of the Knack), Nick St. Nicholas (formerly of Steppenwolf) and Fergie Frederiksen (formerly of Toto) to form another wonderful, but short lived supergroup.
"From 1995 to 1997, Spencer Davis performed in Europe with a new line up of bandmates again with Pete York on drums. On board were Miller Anderson on vocals and guitar (formerly of Savoy Brown and Mountain), Colin Hudgkinson on vocals and bass (formerly of Whitesnake) and Zoot Money on vocals and keyboards (formerly of the Animals) for another unique line up of the Spencer Davis Group.
"The Spencer Davis Group has given their generation a memorable soundtrack to their lives. Their music can be heard on television commercials like the one for Nissan which featured "I'm A Man". Spencer Davis Group is played as soundtrack on several successful motion pictures. There are many great SDG moments from the movies are "Notting Hill", starring starring Julia Roberts, which features "Gimme Some Lovin' ". "Days of Thunder" uses a Spencer Davis Group cover by Terry Reid for the Tom Cruise movie. "Mr. Holland's Opus", starring Richard Dreyfuss, features "Keep On Running". The nostalgic "The Big Chill", starring Willliam Hurt, has "Gimme Some Lovin' on its soundtrack. Each of these songs create just the right mood for capturing emotionally compelling moments in the movies.
"Spencer Davis will always be remembered for his work as a leader of a rock and soul bands out of Britain and later Los Angeles. Professor Davis will be remembered as a musical alchemist who brought together an enormous number of talented people through his visionary matchmaking. His open mind and good nature kept Spencer Davis in touch with his love of music and in touch with what is possible with good friends."
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Maggie,Gwent S.Wales
I'm 60 years young now but when I hear 'Keep on Running' I just got to BOP around to it! Ah! Memories!
Tue Apr 7 09:47:22 2009
Ken George, Auckland, New Zealand
I was born in Upper Killay, (Fairwood) and lived in same street as Spencer, 'till I moved to Fforestfach/ Cadle, in the post war pre-fabs. I had two uncles that were drummers, and my gran's front parlour was a regular jam session spot, she had a piano, friends brought clarinets, trumpets etc.. Spencer asked my uncle to join the group as their drummer, being a visionary my uncle said, "No thanks Spence! This Rock and Roll stuff won't last, it's just a fad." My uncle still lives in the same house, near Glanmore Girls Grammar school, now demolished.
Tue Mar 31 10:23:07 2009
Cliff Benson, Fishguard
Wow! I never realised Spencer Davis was Welsh. Wales usually makes a big deal of its stars who are often one hit wonders. Very few Welsh pop stars came anywhere near Spencer Davis.I suppose Tom Jones is the best known Pop star but to be honest it was people like my mum that loved him, along with the likes of Englebert Humperdink... He lived out in the cultural deasert of Las Vagas until he transformed into an IconThe Spencer Davis Group wrote and performed perfect R&B pop songs like express trains thundering down the line. As soon as you hear them take you back to the primal hedonism that was the catalyst of the sixties youth revolution. They were on a par with the Who, probably a tighter unit.Much as I love Stevie Winwood I suppose it was he that made and broke the SDG as the 70's brought about the introspection that inevitably followed the hedonism.I suppose its because they were so much of their time that they couldn't ever have continued without getting derailed.I reckon in the end it was only the Stones made the transition... and in a wierdly odd and very scary way still continue to do so.... maybe a short but perfect life is better! Maybe better not to keep on running until you are just tottering along!
Thu Sep 27 16:53:18 2007
Jenkins, Swansea
Spencer is doing a concert at the Princess Royal Theatre, Port Talbot on the 12th of Februrary.
Tickets are £8 and £5 concessions.
Ticket line 01639 763214.
Tue Jan 30 11:34:03 2007
Chris St. George
Gimme Some Lovin' - killer song, it is sung with passion and a real sense of urgency. Not to mention some super mean organ. Anyways, apparently Spencer Davis lives on the island of Avalon, just off the coast of California.
Wed Jan 24 12:35:39 2007
Paul Phillips, Gorseinon
I went to dynevor School, Swansea, the same school as Spencer. I didn`t know him because I was only a young kid at the time. My favourite song is "Keep on Running". From the first beat it gets you moving. A worthy number 1!
Sat Mar 18 12:39:23 2006
{Tom slater preston Lancashire}
My favorite spencer davis record is somebody help me
Thu Dec 29 13:37:21 2005
Mike Jones from Brazil
Many years ago, I used to knock around with Spencer's younger brother, known as 'ackers'. One day we were workin on our motorbikes outside 'ackers' house when two long haired blokes came along! Yes, Spencer and the then little-known Stevie Winwood! My 'claim to fame' is giving Stevie a lift into town! Exciting life isn't it - ha, ha.
Sat Dec 10 14:54:33 2005
Rick Warner, Pennsylvania, USA
Proud with relatives in Swansea, my favourite is 'I'm A Man'.
Tue Oct 4 21:51:26 2005
Toni Swansea
My uncle went to school with Spencer Davis.
Tue Oct 4 10:56:25 2005
Dave from California
What can you say about Spencer's life outside of music? For instance, did he marry? Have a family? Where does he live? Does he have any other interests outside of music? These tidbits help make a person come alive.
Wed Feb 23 04:13:06 2005
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