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  1. The Spencer Davis Group were on the bill of my first ever gig – June 1966 – and I really love their records. Of course Steve Winwood was the main talent, but Spencer spotted him in Birmingham and knew his gift was exceptional.

    A couple of personal things – I shared a flat in Bristol in the 1970s with a jazz musician who always said that he knew Spencer back in the day. I was reading some CD sleeve notes today, and it said that Spencer recruited the drummer (Pete York) from the Excelsior Jazz Band, which was Mike’s band.

    Julian Dawson – musician and writer – put on a gig in Whimple Village Hall here in Devon in 2017 with Spencer who was over staying with him as Julian was writing a book about him. It was a little ‘evening with’ and there was chat and songs and memories. It was an absolute delight and I collared Spencer at the end and he sat me down to chat…about Steve and all sorts. He was lovely, and and willingly signed my programme from 1966 and we had a couple of selfies. One of the best gig nights of my life.

  3. Distribution problems seemingly prevented Keep On Running from being a US hit. I wonder what would have happened if it had. Whilst Winwood Jr would probably have left still, Davis may have been granted with more than writing the theme for Magpie. I was astonished to read he had been in a band with Bill Wyman, still Perks, as a teenager, before hooking up with a pre-Mac Christine Perfect, in Brum, when he went there to university. How small was the world then?

  5. Many lesser acts on their demise will get far longer pieces in Mojo and the like.

    Touched on it not long ago, but, despite the “Eight Gigs A Week” compilation being pretty much definitive, it did rather make anonymous the three L.P.s released in 65 and 66.
    A pity those albums didn’t get proper reissues with original artwork, bonus tracks, sleeve notes etc. which were afforded to the various Byrds, Kinks, Them and Monkees’ albums about 20 years ago.

    Also, turned up in Magical Mystery Tour, which is still my definition of greatness.

    • Yes, it’s strange the original 3 albums haven’t had the reissue treatment, especially as Steve Winwood is a major artist. The Eight Days A Week compilation is everything from the Winwood years and is a bargain, but someone is missing a trick here. I also have the two Sessions albums released by RPM in 2000 and they are well worth getting if you can – one is radio sessions and one is live. These reveal what a cracking band they were, even the stuff recorded in 1965 at the Marquee shows what a prodigy Winwood was and how clever Davis was to get him in. By the way, Spencer was known in music circles as the ‘Professor’ as he was so well educated.

  6. Here’s a thing … before Spencer’s death, The Spencer Davis Group could, in theory, have reformed their original line-up.

    Any other 60s group to whom this could still apply? A minor act, maybe.

    I’ve got a major act, who could reform a 60s line-up … none other than The Rolling Stones.
    They could still play with the same members which played Altamont.
    What are the chances!
    I shouldn’t think they expected to see out that night.

    • I imagine that after Steve Hackett’s departure in ’77 the remaining 3 made a collective decision to go where the money was, it plainly not being in their previous brand of Prog any more.
      It certainly can’t be said that they improved after Collins left and was replaced by Ray Wilson.

  8. This story is from the current Popbitch mail out:

    With the death of rock statesman Spencer Davis this week, friends in LA have been sharing their fondest memories of him.

    Despite his successful music career, Spencer still liked to play the lottery, buying three sets of tickets: one for him, one for his wife and one for his dog. For many years, the tickets brought nothing but disappointment – until one draw in 2012 when his numbers suddenly came good.

    He won $10. His wife won $10. And his dog? $250,000.

    The following week, Spencer was due to attend an industry lunch at the Sunset Marquis, so brought his lucky mutt with him, who looked resplendent in a fancy new diamanté collar and leash. He announced his arrival in the broad Welsh accent he never lost, saying: “Lovely to see you all, my very successful friends. Now, I want you all to meet the richest fucking dog in America.”

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