Tributes paid to hitmaker Spencer
Musician and multiinstrumentalist Spencer Davis has died at the aged of 81
SIXTIES music legend Spencer Davis, the man behind chart-toppers The Spencer Davis Group, has died aged 81.
He was being treated for pneumonia, his agent said.
The Swansea-born musician enjoyed a string of hits in the 1960s including Keep on Running, Gimme Some Lovin’ and I’m A Man.
According to Birmingham Live, the beat band’s drummer Pete York today called best friend Jim Simpson – first manager of Black Sabbath – to say that Spencer had died from a heart attack in California on Monday.
Gimme Some Lovin’ was famously featured on the soundtracks of hit movies The Blues Brothers and Notting Hill, while Keep on Running has been extensively used in advertising.
Tributes were paid by fellow musicians and friends.
Radio Caroline presenter Suzy Wilde, who regarded the guitarist as one of her friends, said: “I’m so very, very saddened to learn of the passing of Spencer Davis. He was such a lovely man, generous and kind, warm and funny, and will be much missed. RIP dear Spencer.”
Davis was inspired to begin what would become a life-long career in music after hearing an American rhythm and blues band play a rare gig in his hometown of Swansea as a teenager.
He formed his own group, The Saints, along with friend Bill Perks – later known as Bill Wyman, bassist for the Rolling Stones.
Davis then moved to Birmingham to study German at the University of Birmingham where he dated Christine Perfect, who went on to marry Fleetwood Mac’s John Mcvie.
Not giving up his passion for music, in 1963 Davis formed the selftitled The Spencer Davis
Group after persuading established jazz artists Muff and Steve Windwood to join him and friend Pete York on the project.
They went on to have a string of Number 1 singles including Keep On Running and Somebody Help Me in 1966.
After their success the group disbanded in the late 1960s though various incarnations of the band continued to tour
in recent years, under Davis’ direction.
In his later years, Davis became an honorary member of Plaid Cymru.
He continued to support the party after moving to the Catalina Island, a small island off the coast of Southern California.
I’m so very, very saddened to learn of the passing of Spencer Davis. He was such a lovely man, generous and kind, warm and funny, and will be much missed. RIP dear Spencer
- Radio Caroline presenter Suzy Wilde