Spencer Davis dies aged 81
The Welsh musician had been battling pneumonia
Last updated 20th Oct 2020
Welsh musician Spencer Davis, the eponymous guitarist of 1960s band The Spencer Davis Group, has died aged 81. He had been in hospital batting pneumonia.
Spencer Davis’ agent of 30 years, Bob Birk, confirmed the sad news to the BBC and hailed Davis “a very good friend."
Birk added: "He was a highly ethical, very talented, good-hearted, extremely intelligent, generous man. He will be missed."
Former Black Sabbath manager Jim Simpson also told Birmingham Live that Spencer Davis Group drummer Pete York had informed him of Davis’ sad passing.
"I took Pete's call half an hour ago and thought: 'What a shame'," Simpson said. "Spencer was a lovely man - always very courteous and a purist about music.
"The Spencer Davis Group stuck more to the blues and never became a fully-fledged rock band. Spencer was scholarly and well educated, very gentle and kind and his tastes in music were spot on."
Born in Swansea on 17th July 1939, Spencer Davis founded The Rhythm & Blues Quartette in 1963 alongside vocalist Steve Winwood, bassist Muff Winwood and aforementioned drummer Pete York.
The band name soon evolved into The Spencer Davis Group at Muss Winwood’s suggestion as Davis handled the majority of the band’s promotional duties.
The Spencer Davis Group scored two huge number ones in the UK with ‘Somebody Help Me’ and ‘Keep on Running’, which were both penned by Jamaican reggae musician Jackie Edwards.
‘Keep on Running’ also knocked The Beatles’ double A-side ‘We Can Work It Out’/’Day Tripper’ off the top spot.
‘I’m A Man’ was also a Top 10 hit, while ‘Gimme Some Lovin'’ was a transatlantic smash peaking at number 2 in the UK and number 8 in America.
Spencer Davis is survived by his long-time partner June, and three adult children.
RIP Spencer Davis