Sad News Don Davis RIp

Sad news passed on in the forums by Harry concerning Don Davis who passed away yesterday in Detroit at the age of 75

A brief bio clip from Detroit Free Press

As a young guitarist Don Davis played on many of the earliest Motown sessions, including the hits "Money" and Mary Wells' "Bye Bye Baby."

But Hitsville was only the beginning for the writer-producer, whose career may rank second only to Berry Gordy Jr.'s.

Davis developed his craft with stints at seminal Detroit record labels Northern, Thelma, Golden World, Ric-Tic, Revilot and his own Groovesville imprint. In 1968 he was lured to Memphis to become head of production for Motown's primary soul music competitor, Stax Records. Billboard magazine honored Davis as its 1976 producer of the year after his records with Johnnie Taylor ("Disco Lady," the first-ever platinum single) and Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis ("You Don't Have to Be a Star") went to No. 1. He won multiple Grammy Awards.

Davis has spent the past 28 years as chairman of First Independence Bank in Detroit, but he still adds to his music credits, most recently contributing a song to the Destiny's Child album "Destiny Fulfilled."

The 2009 article featuring the above clip link:

http://www.freep.com/article/20090111/ENT04/901110360/Detroit-banker-Don-Davis-worked-Motown-made-name-rival-Stax

A 2009 website titled "Don Davis, the 70th Composition: The Man. The Music. The Mogul," can be viewed here:

http://www.dondavistheman.com#

Detrot News Story Link:

http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/story/25710954/don-davis-ceo-and-chairman-of-michigans-only-african-american-owned-bank-dies-at-75

Please use the forum thread (link below) to both read and post comments on this sad news