Don Davis (2)

Detroit-based producer, label owner, songwriter, and guitarist.

b. October 25, 1938, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A. - d. June 05, 2014, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A.

Davis’ music career started in the mid-1950s at which time the Central High School graduate formed a jazz group called the Don Davis Trio. However, the trio was short-lived and Davis opted to become a studio musician. He played guitar for an array of Detroit based record companies, including [l1723], [l108180] and [l44478].

In the late 1960s Davis began focusing on producing and writing, becoming a key figure with Memphis-based [l24936] Records, though he continued to live in Detroit. He landed a national No. 1 hit in the fall of 1968 with “[m=214700]” by [a158399] and several other hits by the singer, including “Jody’s Got Your Girl and Gone” and “Take Care of Your Homework.” His greatest success was “[m=156574],” also by Taylor, which was certified Platinum in early 1976 and remained No. 1 on the national R&B chart for six weeks and spent four weeks in the No. 1 spot on the Pop chart. Another No. 1 hit — Pop and R&B — was “[m=167396]” by former 5th Dimension members Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr., also in 1976.

In the ’70s, Davis formed a record production and music publishing company called [l620774]. He also purchased [l299648], utilized by such artists as the Dramatics, George Clinton, the Dells and David Ruffin.

It came as a major surprise when Don Davis moved into the banking field. Always business minded, he was able to take over First Independence Bank, which was struggling at the time, as a result of having purchased a large number of shares. With Davis at the helm, First Independence became a major success, eventually recognized as the 12th largest African-American owned bank in the United States.

He also worked at [l=Criteria Recording Studios] (Miami, FL).