Artist description "He's the Professor of Rock & Roll," says singer songwriter John Cafferty of John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band fame. "We all grew up playing 'Gimme Some Lovin' and 'I'm a Man'." Cafferty, of course, refers to Spencer Davis, founder of the Spencer davis Group.

Music Style Classic Rock

Artist History It was the early 1960's and Spencer Davis was literally a professor -- a professor of English. He left the classroom to form his first group, the Rhythm and Blues Quartet in Birmingham, England. It featured Spencer Davis on guitar and vocals, Steve Winwood on guitar, organ and vocals, Muff Winwood on bass and Pete York on drums. Davis, Muff Winwood and Pete York already had a background in playing skiffle, jazz and blues. Spencer Davis's background was in jazz and Delta and Chicago blues of artists like Muddy Waters and Leadbelly. Steve, Muff's younger brother, was only 15 when the band played its first gigs at the Golden Eagle pub, Birmingham's only r 'n' b club and the band was offered a residency there. Also known as The Shoop, the Golden Eagle was at the top of Hill Street in the centre of Birmingham. This was followed by regular Tuesday night gigs at the Marquee in London. Steve Winwood left in 1967 to form Traffic, and then joined Blind Faith, and is now a highly successful solo artist. Muff Winwood left to join Island Records as head of A & R, and is now head of artist development at CBS Records. Spencer Davis is a highly successful solo artist as well and is currently making the US his home and touring the world.

Group Members Original Members: Spencer Davis, guitar and vocals; Steve Winwood, guitar, organ and vocals; Muff Winwood, bass; Pete York, drums

Instruments vocals, guitar

Location Northridge, CA - USA

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