Billy Davis (guitarist)

Last updated

Billy Davis
Birth nameJ. C. Davis
Born (1938-04-29) April 29, 1938 (age 86)
Bentonia, Mississippi, United States
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Musician
  • songwriter
Instruments
  • Guitar
  • vocals
Years active1955–present
Labels Federal, King, People, Jett Plastic
Website billydavisdetroit.com

J. C. Davis (born April 29, 1938), known as Billy Davis, is an American rock and blues guitarist, singer and songwriter, best known for his work with Hank Ballard & the Midnighters. He is a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee.

Contents

Life and career

Davis was born in Bentonia, Mississippi and moved to Memphis, Tennessee in childhood. He became inspired to play guitar at the age of 8, when he heard "That's All Right" by Arthur 'Big Boy' Crudup. [1] In 1951, at the age of 13, Davis moved to Detroit, Michigan. There he lived in the predominantly-Black area of the city known as "Black Bottom" and took guitar lessons from Bosie Gatlin, who taught him how to play Muddy Waters' song "Baby, Please Don't Go". [1]

In 1951, Davis met his mother's friend from Mississippi, John Lee Hooker. [2] Hooker in turn introduced Davis and Jackie Wilson, who became close friends and collaborated musically throughout their lives. [2]

In 1957, after graduating from Miller High School in Detroit, [1] he formed Billy Davis & The Upsetters, and they worked for Motown founder Berry Gordy, backing up musicians such as Smokey Robinson and The Miracles. Marv Johnson at live performances. [1] [3]

In 1958, Davis was spotted by Henry Booth, [1] who was a singer for The Midnighters, and he convinced Hank Ballard to hire Davis as the guitarist for the band, as a replacement for Cal Green. Davis played with The Midnighters until the dissolution of the band in 1965, and again during their reunion tours in the 1980s. [4] [5] The Midnighters continued to draw large audiences at a rate of nearly 300 booking dates a year in the early 1960s. [6]

Davis was a flamboyant figure on stage, and he became known for his energetic stage presence, which featured guitar feedback and was accented with spins and twirls, and backflips while he played, and he was also known to play his guitar with his teeth. [7] Davis was considered an actual Midnighter alongside the singers, and not just a member of the backing band, because of his ability to play and sing, and also do the group's dance routines. [7] Ballard would often give Davis 30 minutes to open the shows doing his guitar solos and tricks, before he would take the stage. [1]

In 1959, while playing with The Midnighters in Seattle, Washington, he met Jimi Hendrix, who was just 16 at the time, along with Hendrix's father Al. [8] Davis let Jimi play his guitar and gave him some lessons, which was the first time that Hendrix had played an electric guitar. [2] Inspired by Davis' onstage antics and style, Hendrix soon began adopting the stage act that he became known for, including playing his guitar with his teeth, and playing behind his back. Davis remained friends with both Jimi and Al Hendrix throughout their lifetimes. [8] [9]

In 1959, Davis also met blues guitarist B.B. King, while they were both performing in Atlanta, Georgia, and they remained close friends until King's death in 2015. [2]

In 1960, as Billy Davis and The Legends, he recorded a song for Peacock Records called "Spunky Onions", which was a modified version of a Midnighters instrumental that they would play live. The song was renamed "Spunky Onions" before it was released, so as not to offend anyone with the use of the word funky. [5] [10]

In late 1960, while in Memphis during a stop on their tour, Elvis Presley dispatched two state troopers to Crump Stadium where Hank Ballard and The Midnighters were playing at to bring them to his Graceland mansion for a meetup. Ballard was reluctant at first, and only agreed to go when he saw the rest of the band were going to go without him. [6]

In 1962, Davis was drafted in to the United States Army at Fort Knox, Kentucky, for basic training before heading to South Korea for thirteen months. [3] He entertained at service clubs, playing country music for his Commanding Officers. [6] While in the service, Davis arranged for Hendrix to audition with The Midnighters as his interim replacement and Hendrix joined them for a short time. [3] Davis rejoined The Midnighters upon his return from service and continued until the group disbanded. [3]

After leaving the military, Davis moved to New York City and quickly became a sought-after session guitarist, recording with many artists such as Joe Tex, Isley Brothers, The Drifters, Ben E. King and Millie Jackson, recording for numerous labels, such as Atlantic Records, Buddah Records, Dial Records and Polydor. [7]

Davis played his final performance in the Bahamas with original lineup of The Midnighters in 1965. He then moved back to Memphis, Tennessee and worked briefly for Willie Mitchell at Hi Records. [1]

Davis then moved back to New York, where he did more session work, playing on recordings by many acts including Martha Reeves & the Vandellas. [1] In 1967, Davis played lead guitar on his childhood friend Jackie Wilson's recording "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher", and they also toured together. [2] The song reached No. 1 in the US Billboard R&B chart and, in November, peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 6. [11] The song was ranked No. 246 on Rolling Stone's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999. The track was also sampled by many artists, including The Chemical Brothers. [12]

Davis signed with A&M Records as Billy "Guitar" Davis in 1969, and released "You Put Me in a Groove" backed with "As I Grow Old", [13] [14] as well as "Stanky (Get Funky)" backed with "I've Tried". [15]

Davis got married in 1979, and had two children. In 1974 he moved back to Detroit with the plan of getting out of the music business, and became a trained counselor for underprivileged youth. He effectively retired from playing professionally for nearly nine years, except for occasional gigs and appearances. [5] [16]

In 1983, Sam & Dave called on Davis to put together a band to back them at a concert at Pine Knob, where they were opening for James Brown. [2] [17] Brown, who had been a friend of Davis since the 1950s, gave Hank Ballard's phone number to him, and suggested he call Ballard to reunite The Midnighters. [2] Davis phoned Ballard, which led to The Midnighters reuniting, and they began to tour steadily for the next few years. [2]

He appeared in the 1988 cult movie Tapeheads starring John Cusack and Tim Robbins, as a member of the Swanky Modes Band, featuring Sam Moore (of Sam & Dave) and Junior Walker, along with Hendrix drummer Mitch Mitchell, and Jim Keltner. [18] [19]

In 2001, The Midnighters were among the first to be inducted into the Doo-Wop Hall of Fame, in Boston, Massachusetts. [4]

Davis put together a band in 2003, to record some of his own songs, and he continues to play with them regularly, and has released many recordings of his original music. [16] [20] [21]

In 2012, Davis was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as a member of The Midnighters. A special subcommittee, appointed by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, addressed the question of recognizing members of pioneering groups that had not been inducted when their front men were inducted. As a result of this committee's decision, The Midnighters were automatically inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame alongside Hank Ballard, who had been inducted in 1990. [22]

In 2015, Davis, as a member of Hank Ballard & the Midnighters, was inducted into the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame. [23]

To celebrate John Lee Hooker's 100th birthday anniversary in 2017, Davis joined drummer Muruga Booker, P-Funk guitarist Tony "Strat" Thomas, bassist John Sauter, and singer Misty Love to form the Booker Blues All-Stars and released a CD called Booker Plays Hooker. [24]

Davis was introduced to Detroit blues rocker Eliza Neals by his friend Barrett Strong, Davis went on to record "At the Crossroads" (feat. Billy Davis) [25] and perform at the 2017 Ann Arbor Blues and Jazz Festival as Neals featured guest.

On October 12, 2017, Davis was honored with a "70 over 70" award, for his achievements in advancement of art, at a ceremony that was held at The historic Roostertail restaurant in Detroit, Michigan. [16]

In 2017, Davis along with Wayne Craycraft, won a competition put on by the Detroit Blues Society, to represent them by competing in the duo category at the 33rd International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee, to be held on January 16–20, 2018, [26] [27] where they made it to the semi-finals. [28]

He is a key featured musician in the feature-length documentary film, Paradise Boogie, released in 2018 chronicling the past, present and future of Detroit blues.

Davis currently lives in Southfield, Michigan, [1] and continues to mentor young musicians, [16] and also performs regularly with a few bands, and The Billy Davis Rhythm Machine Band. [29]

On October 19, 2022, [30] Billy Davis and his band played at the Southfield (MI) Public Library event "Jazz & Blues at Your Library".

Selected discography

Hank Ballard & The Midnighters albums
Hank Ballard & The Midnighters charted singles
Solo recordings

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jimi Hendrix</span> American guitarist (1942–1970)

James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix was an American guitarist, songwriter and singer. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest guitarists in the history of popular music and one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame describes him as "arguably the greatest instrumentalist in the history of rock music."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eddie Cochran</span> American rock and roll pioneer (1938–1960)

Ray Edward Cochran was an American rock and roll musician. His songs, such as "Twenty Flight Rock", "Summertime Blues", "C'mon Everybody" and "Somethin' Else", captured teenage frustration and desire in the mid-1950s and early 1960s. Cochran experimented with multitrack recording, distortion techniques, and overdubbing, even on his earliest singles. Cochran played the guitar, piano, bass, and drums. His image as a sharply dressed and attractive young man with a rebellious attitude epitomized the stance of the 1950s rocker, and in death, Cochran achieved iconic status.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hank Ballard</span> American singer (1927–2003)

Hank Ballard was an American singer and songwriter, the lead vocalist of the Midnighters and one of the first rock and roll artists to emerge in the early 1950s. He played an integral part in the development of the genre, releasing the hit singles "Work with Me, Annie" and answer songs "Annie Had a Baby" and "Annie's Aunt Fannie" with his Midnighters. He later wrote and originally recorded "The Twist" which was notably covered a year later by Chubby Checker, this second version spreading the popularity of the dance. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elmore James</span> American blues musician (1918–1963)

Elmore James was an American blues guitarist, singer, songwriter, and bandleader. Noted for his use of loud amplification and his stirring voice, James was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992. His slide guitar technique earned him the nickname "King of the Slide Guitar".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mitch Mitchell</span> English drummer and child actor (1946–2008)

John Graham "Mitch" Mitchell was an English drummer and child actor, best known for his work in the Jimi Hendrix Experience, for which he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992. He was inducted into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame in 2009. In 2016, Mitchell was ranked number 8 in Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "100 Greatest Drummers of All Time".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Purple Haze</span> 1967 single by the Jimi Hendrix Experience

"Purple Haze" is a song written by Jimi Hendrix and released as the second single by the Jimi Hendrix Experience on March 17, 1967, in the United Kingdom. The song features his inventive guitar playing, which uses the signature Hendrix chord and a mix of blues and Eastern modalities, shaped by novel sound processing techniques. Because of ambiguities in the lyrics, listeners often interpret the song as referring to a psychedelic experience, although Hendrix described it as a love song. It was included as the opening track in the North American edition of the Experience's debut album, Are You Experienced (1967).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kings of Rhythm</span> Band led by Ike Turner

Kings of Rhythm are an American music group formed in the late 1940s in Clarksdale, Mississippi and led by Ike Turner through to his death in 2007. Turner would retain the name of the band throughout his career, although the group has undergone considerable line-up changes over time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Johnny B. Goode</span> 1958 single by Chuck Berry

"Johnny B. Goode" is a song by American musician Chuck Berry, written and sung by Berry in 1958. Released as a single in 1958, it peaked at number two on the Hot R&B Sides chart and number eight on its pre-Hot 100 chart. The song remains a staple of rock music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Garth Hudson</span> Canadian multi-instrumentalist (born 1937)

Eric "Garth" Hudson is a Canadian multi-instrumentalist best known as the keyboardist and occasional saxophonist for rock group the Band, for which he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. He was a principal architect of the group's sound, described as "the most brilliant organist in the rock world" by Keyboard magazine. Following the death of Robbie Robertson in 2023, Hudson is the last living original member of the Band.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Albert King</span> American blues musician (1923–1992)

Albert Nelson, known by his stage name Albert King, was an American guitarist and singer who is often regarded as one of the greatest and most influential blues guitarists of all time. He is perhaps best known for his popular and influential album Born Under a Bad Sign (1967) and its title track. He, B.B. King, and Freddie King, all unrelated, were known as the " The three Kings of the Blues". The left-handed Albert King was known for his "deep, dramatic sound that was widely imitated by both blues and rock guitarists".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Billy Gibbons</span> American musician (born 1949)

William Frederick Gibbons is an American rock musician, best known as the guitarist and primary vocalist of ZZ Top. He began his career in Moving Sidewalks, who recorded Flash (1969) and opened four dates for the Jimi Hendrix Experience. Gibbons formed ZZ Top in late 1969 and released ZZ Top's First Album in early 1971. He has also maintained a solo career in recent years, starting with his first album Perfectamundo (2015).

<i>Band of Gypsys</i> 1970 live album by Jimi Hendrix

Band of Gypsys is a live album by Jimi Hendrix and the first without his original group, the Jimi Hendrix Experience. It was recorded on January 1, 1970, at the Fillmore East in New York City with R&B musicians Billy Cox on bass and Buddy Miles on drums, a grouping frequently referred to as the Band of Gypsys. The album mixes funk and R&B elements with Hendrix's psychedelic rock guitar and wah pedal-based jamming, an approach which later became the basis of funk rock. It contains previously unreleased songs and was the last full-length Hendrix album released before his death six months later.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ernie Isley</span> American guitarist

Ernest Isley is an American musician, best known as a member of the musical ensemble The Isley Brothers, and also the splinter group Isley-Jasper-Isley.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Billy Cox</span> American bassist (born 1941)

William "Billy" Cox is an American bassist, best known for performing with Jimi Hendrix. Cox is the only surviving musician to have regularly played with Hendrix: first with the experimental group that backed Hendrix at Woodstock, followed by the trio with drummer Buddy Miles that recorded the live Band of Gypsys album, and, lastly, The Cry of Love Tour trio with Mitch Mitchell back on drums. Cox continues to perform dates with the Band of Gypsys Experience and the Experience Hendrix Tour.

<i>Martin Scorsese Presents the Blues: Jimi Hendrix</i> 2003 compilation album by Jimi Hendrix

Martin Scorsese Presents the Blues: Jimi Hendrix is a ten track companion release to the critically acclaimed television documentary series Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues shown on PBS in September 2003.

Johnny Edward Jenkins was an American left-handed blues guitarist, who helped launch the career of Otis Redding. His flamboyant style of guitar playing also influenced Jimi Hendrix.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Midnighters</span> American vocal group

The Midnighters were an American vocal group from Detroit, Michigan. They were an influential group in the 1950s and early 1960s, with many R&B hit records. They were also notable for launching the career of lead singer Hank Ballard and the worldwide dance craze the twist. Between 1953 and 1962, the Midnighters had several hits on the U.S. pop and R&B charts. Their hits included the million-selling Billboard top 10 pop hits "Finger Poppin' Time", and "Let's Go, Let's Go, Let's Go". The Midnighters also had 13 top 10 R&B hits, including three that reached number 1. Their top 10 R&B hits included "Work with Me, Annie", "It's Love Baby ", "Annie Had a Baby", "The Hoochi Coochi Coo", "Teardrops on Your Letter", "Get It", "The Float" and "Nothing but Good". They received the Rhythm and Blues Foundation's prestigious Pioneer Award in 1992 and were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1999. The Midnighters are also noted for achieving a music industry milestone in 1960, by becoming the first group in history to place 3 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 at the same time. The group's lead singer, Hank Ballard, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990. The Midnighters as a group were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on April 14, 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Henry Glover</span> American songwriter, arranger, record producer and trumpet player

Henry Bernard Glover was an American songwriter, arranger, record producer and trumpet player. In the music industry of the time, Glover was one of the most successful and influential black executives. He gained eminence in the late 1940s, primarily working for the independent King label. His duties included operating as a producer, arranger, songwriter, engineer, trumpet player, talent scout, A&R man, studio constructor, while later in his career he became the owner of his own label. Glover worked with country, blues, R&B, pop, rock, and jazz musicians, and he helped King Records to become one of the largest independent labels of its time. Thanks to the efforts of family, friends and fans, Glover's hometown of Hot Springs, Arkansas celebrated the 100th anniversary of his birth in 2021 by inducting him into the downtown "Walk of Fame," the Mayor's "Proclamation," "Key to the City," and named a parklet "Henry Glover Way," along Black Broadway after him. In 2018, Glover was recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the King Records 75th Anniversary. In 2013, he was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame.

Eddie Wilbur "Billy" Rich is an American electric bassist and blues musician. He is known for his association with Buddy Miles, John McLaughlin, Jimi Hendrix and especially Taj Mahal, with whom he has played since 1972. Rich was born in Omaha, Nebraska and is based out of Denver, Colorado. On July 29, 2004, Rich was inducted into the Nebraska Music Hall of Fame, and is a member of the Omaha Black Music Hall of Fame.

Herbie Rich was an American multi-instrumentalist from Omaha, Nebraska, who was a member of The New Breed, The Electric Flag, and the Buddy Miles Express. He also played with Jimi Hendrix, Mike Bloomfield and others.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Alexander, Kent (July 28, 2010). "Midnight to midnight". Detroit Metro Times. Archived from the original on January 18, 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Billy Davis biography". Billydavisdetroit.com. Archived from the original on January 4, 2018. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Billy Davis". Jett Plastic Recordings. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
  4. 1 2 "Billy Davis". Musicwikidetroit.org. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
  5. 1 2 3 "live music, blues, soul, R&B, Shakedown Blues, Peterborough, UK". Shakedownblues.co.uk. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
  6. 1 2 3 "Hank Ballard & The Midnighters helped to shape rock and roll". Goldmine Magazine: Record Collector & Music Memorabilia. August 23, 2011. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
  7. 1 2 3 "Michigan Rock and Roll Legends – HANK BALLARD & THE MIDNIGHTERS". Michiganrockandrolllegends.com. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
  8. 1 2 Roby, Steven; Schreiber, Brad (2010). BECOMING JIMI HENDRIX – From Southern Crossroads to Psychedelic London, the Untold Story of a Musical Genius . Hachette Books. ISBN   9780306819100.
  9. ↑ Parker, Chris. "It's getting late, but still not midnight for Billy Davis". Detroit Metro Times . Retrieved March 27, 2019.
  10. ↑ Pete Rogers (October 7, 2014). "Billy Davis & The Legends – Spunky Onions" . Retrieved March 27, 2019– via YouTube.
  11. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942–2004. Record Research. p. 630.
  12. ↑ "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher by Jackie Wilson". WhoSampled.com. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
  13. 1 2 "Billy "Guitar" Davis – You Put Me in a Groove". Discogs.com. November 6, 1969. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
  14. ↑ Adam Topping (May 20, 2012). "Billy Guitar Davis – You Put Me in a Groove – A&M" . Retrieved March 27, 2019– via YouTube.
  15. 1 2 "Billy Davis (9) – Stanky (Get Funky) / I've Tried". Discogs.com. March 1969. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
  16. 1 2 3 4 "70 Over Seventy – Presented by Hannan Center – serving older adults in metro Detroit". 70overseventy.com. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
  17. ↑ "James Brown – The Concert Database". Theconcertdatabase.com. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
  18. ↑ "Billy Davis". IMDb.com. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
  19. ↑ "The Swanky Modes – Ordinary Man (Music Video)". May 20, 2010. Retrieved March 27, 2019– via YouTube.
  20. 1 2 "I Remember, by Billy Davis". Billyguitardavis.bandcamp.com. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
  21. 1 2 "Heatstock is Coming!". Archived from the original on September 29, 2018. Retrieved June 9, 2019.
  22. ↑ Greene, Andy (February 9, 2012). "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Adds Six Backing Groups to 2012 Class". Rolling Stone . Retrieved March 27, 2019.
  23. ↑ "2015 RHYTHM & BLUES MUSIC HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY". Bluesmagazine.nl. June 13, 2015. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
  24. ↑ "Booker Plays Hooker, by Booker Blues All Stars". Murugabooker.bandcamp.com. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
  25. ↑ "10,000 Feet Below by Eliza Neals". Music.apple.com. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  26. ↑ "About the Blues Challenge – Detroit Blues Society". Detroitbluessociety.org. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
  27. ↑ Addison. "International Blues Challenge". Detroitbluesociety.org. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
  28. ↑ "IBC 2018 SEMI-fINALIST SCHEDULE – Friday, January, 19". Blues.org. Archived from the original on August 25, 2018. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
  29. ↑ "Billy Davis Rhythm Machine". Musicwikidetroit.org. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
  30. ↑ "Meet Southfield blues legend Billy Davis, who taught Jimi Hendrix to play the guitar". Metrotimes.com.
  31. ↑ "Billy Davis and the Legends – Spunky Onions". 45cat.com. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
  32. ↑ "Blue Teardrops". Amazon.com. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
  33. ↑ [ dead link ]
  34. ↑ "♫ Merry Christmas to the World – Billy Davis". Store.cdbaby.com. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
  35. ↑ "Amazon.com: It Ain't Easy: Billy Davis: Music". Amazon. Archived from the original on August 31, 2008. Retrieved January 4, 2018.
  36. ↑ [ dead link ]
  37. ↑ "Billy Davis (9) – Billy Davis". Discogs.com. November 30, 2017. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.