Musician Steve Winwood, a member of The Spencer Davis Group, paid tribute to Davis, calling him an “early pioneer of the British folk scene” and credited him with embracing folk blues and rhythm and blues music.
Davis died in hospital at the age of 81 after being treated for pneumonia, the UK’s PA Media News Agency reported.
The Spencer Davis Group was founded in 1963 by Davis of Wales, Pete York, and brothers Muff and Steve Winwood.
The band has had success in a number of hits, including “Help Someone,” “I’m a Man,” “Continue,” and “Gimm Some Lovin.”
Davis’ songs appeared on the soundtracks of many feature films, including “The Big Chill,” “Top Gun,” “Notting Hill,” and “The Blues Brothers.”
In his early days on the club circuit, the Spencer Davis group visited with many future rock legends, including the Rolling Stones and The Who.
Davis immigrated to the USA in 1970, where he formed an acoustic blues band. He also worked as an executive at Island Records in the mid-1970s, with artists including Bob Marley and Robert Palmer, before moving to an independent Hollywood record label in the early 1980s.
He continued to perform, and created the album “Crossfire”, which featured Dusty Springfield and Booker T. Artists including Jones were featured.
He toured extensively, performing with Classic Rock All-Stars and The World Classic Rockers, and opened for acts including Halls and Ates.
He also co-starred in documentaries, commercials and TV specials, as well as in the “Married with Children” series.
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