Spencer Davis dead at 81: Welsh-born musician behind Keep on Running and Gimme Some Lovin’ has heart attack and dies at his California home
- Sixties music legend died from a heart attack at his California home aged 81
- The talented Welsh-born instrumentalist founded The Spencer Davis Group band
- They enjoyed a string of top hits in the 60s, like Keep on Running, Gimme Some Lovin’ and I’m A Man
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Tributes have poured in for musician Spencer Davis after the sixties music legend died from a heart attack aged 81.
Spencer died from a heart-attack at his Californian home on Monday, October 19.
The talented instrumentalist, who was born in Wales, founded The Spencer Davis Group band.
Davis played alongside the Barr brothers Muff Winwood, who played bass, and Steve Winwood on the vocals and keyboards, and drummer, Pete York.
The group enjoyed a series of chart-topping hits in the mid-60s including Keep on Running, Gimme Some Lovin’ and I’m A Man.
Their music is still played widely to this day, more than 50 years after it was recorded.
Talented instrumentalist Spencer Davis was born in Wales and founded The Spencer Davis Group band which had a string of hits in the 1960s
The group, pictured here in 1965, enjoyed a series of chart-topping hits in the mid-60s including Keep on Running, Gimme Some Lovin’ and I’m A Man
The sixties music legend died from a heart attack at his Californian home aged 81.
A new film about the late Helen Reddy called I Am Woman has just been released in the UK and carries The Spencer Davis Group record of the same name on the soundtrack.
Gimme Some Lovin’ also featured in The Blues Brothers movie, directed by John Landis in 1960.
Following the news of his death, tributes from fellow musicians and friends of Davis have been posted online.
Radio presenter Suzy Wilde, who regarded the guitarist as one of her friends, wrote on Twitter that Davis was a ‘lovely, generous and kind man’ who would be sorely missed.
She posted a picture of the two of them together and 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.’
Following the news of his death, tributes from fellow musicians and friends of Davis have been posted online
A new film about the late Helen Reddy called I Am Woman has just been released in the UK and carries The Spencer Davis Group (pictured) record of the same name on the soundtrack. Pictured: Spencer Davis second from right
Davis (far right) is pictured here with musicians Walter Eagan, John Zambetti and Peter Jameson
Davis was born in Swansea and was first introduced to music when an American rhythm and blues band played a rare gig in his hometown.
As a teenager, he was drawn to the music and launched his own band called The Saints, alongside Bill Perks.
He formed his own group, The Saints, along with friend Bill Perks – later known as Bill Whyman, the 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.