Velvett Fogg
11-10-2008, 07:40 PM
Spencer Davis Group
Birmingham
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c187/john-wayne/Unsigned%20City/sdgrp1a.gif
Spencer Davis guitar, vocal
Steve Winwood lead vocal, piano, organ, guitar (left 1967)
Muff Winwood bass guitar, vocal (left 1967)
Pete York drums
Eddie Hardin organ, vocal (joined 1967)
Phil Sawyer lead guitar (joined 1967 - left 1968)
Ray Fenwick lead guitar, vocal (joined 1968)
Spencer Davis moved from South Wales to London
as a teenager and played in various skiffle bands.
Like many other teenagers in the UK during the 50's and 60's,
Davis found inspiration in the imported American R&B sound
and in 1960 he relocated to Birmingham,
Britain's second largest city and home to thriving R&B scene.
Spencer studied German at college and later
became a teacher himself at a junior school in Yardley.
He played in various venues around Brum
and sometimes featured alongside Christine Perfect
who later joined Fleetwood Mac.
Spencer, Steve & Muff Winwood played at the
Golden Eagle pub in Hill Street
which was a regular haunt for Midland R&B enthusiasts,
they then formed the Spencer Davis Group along with Pete York.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c187/john-wayne/Unsigned%20City/sdgeagle-1.jpg
The Golden Eagle was a popular venue
for up and coming bands from the region and the
Spencer Davis Group were well liked. Spencer Davis performed before Sonny Boy Williamson at the venue
which may have been a blessing for the future.
Meanwhile, Chris Blackwell of Island Records
took a journey north from London to Manchester via Birmingham,
being used to ska and reggae he picked up on Winwood's
unique soulful voice (for a young white boy from Brum).
The then quartet turned down a record deal from Decca
and went with Fontana records and Island publishing,
the band were signed, albeit with an informal deal
between Island and Fontana.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c187/john-wayne/Unsigned%20City/B0000B193Z01LZZZZZZZ.jpg
The band played arduously around Britain with Jackie Edwards
writing one of their first big hits 'Keep On Running', later the band
found success through their own song writing abilities
such as 'I'm A Man' (a popular MOD song).
Steve Winwood left for pastures new in the late 60's
, he had 'Traffic' on his mind,
Spencer Davis continued the band regardless and recruited new
musicians, one unsuccessful candidate
being Reginald Dwight (Elton John).
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c187/john-wayne/Unsigned%20City/SpencerDavisGroup.jpg
The band notched up several other classic late 60's songs
until Spencer Davis made a move to Germany and then America
where he now lives and still performs,
Steve and Muff Winwood also now reside in the States,
Peter York lives and still entertains in Germany.
These songs continue to inspire thousands of musicians world wide,
long live the unique soulful magic that is
'The Spencer Davis Group'.
Birmingham
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c187/john-wayne/Unsigned%20City/sdgrp1a.gif
Spencer Davis guitar, vocal
Steve Winwood lead vocal, piano, organ, guitar (left 1967)
Muff Winwood bass guitar, vocal (left 1967)
Pete York drums
Eddie Hardin organ, vocal (joined 1967)
Phil Sawyer lead guitar (joined 1967 - left 1968)
Ray Fenwick lead guitar, vocal (joined 1968)
Spencer Davis moved from South Wales to London
as a teenager and played in various skiffle bands.
Like many other teenagers in the UK during the 50's and 60's,
Davis found inspiration in the imported American R&B sound
and in 1960 he relocated to Birmingham,
Britain's second largest city and home to thriving R&B scene.
Spencer studied German at college and later
became a teacher himself at a junior school in Yardley.
He played in various venues around Brum
and sometimes featured alongside Christine Perfect
who later joined Fleetwood Mac.
Spencer, Steve & Muff Winwood played at the
Golden Eagle pub in Hill Street
which was a regular haunt for Midland R&B enthusiasts,
they then formed the Spencer Davis Group along with Pete York.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c187/john-wayne/Unsigned%20City/sdgeagle-1.jpg
The Golden Eagle was a popular venue
for up and coming bands from the region and the
Spencer Davis Group were well liked. Spencer Davis performed before Sonny Boy Williamson at the venue
which may have been a blessing for the future.
Meanwhile, Chris Blackwell of Island Records
took a journey north from London to Manchester via Birmingham,
being used to ska and reggae he picked up on Winwood's
unique soulful voice (for a young white boy from Brum).
The then quartet turned down a record deal from Decca
and went with Fontana records and Island publishing,
the band were signed, albeit with an informal deal
between Island and Fontana.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c187/john-wayne/Unsigned%20City/B0000B193Z01LZZZZZZZ.jpg
The band played arduously around Britain with Jackie Edwards
writing one of their first big hits 'Keep On Running', later the band
found success through their own song writing abilities
such as 'I'm A Man' (a popular MOD song).
Steve Winwood left for pastures new in the late 60's
, he had 'Traffic' on his mind,
Spencer Davis continued the band regardless and recruited new
musicians, one unsuccessful candidate
being Reginald Dwight (Elton John).
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c187/john-wayne/Unsigned%20City/SpencerDavisGroup.jpg
The band notched up several other classic late 60's songs
until Spencer Davis made a move to Germany and then America
where he now lives and still performs,
Steve and Muff Winwood also now reside in the States,
Peter York lives and still entertains in Germany.
These songs continue to inspire thousands of musicians world wide,
long live the unique soulful magic that is
'The Spencer Davis Group'.