Detroit native Don Davis, a Grammy-winning producer who became an influential producer, studio owner and executive, has died at age 75, the Detroit News reports.
Davis, who died Thursday after a brief illness, started as a session guitarist at Motown, according to the News story written by Susan Whitall and Tony Briscoe. He also founded the First Independence Bank, Michigan’s only African-American-owned and operated commercial bank.
The News wrote:
Mr. Davis began his music career playing guitar on some of Motown’s earliest sessions, including Barrett Strong’s “Money (That’s What I Want)” for Berry Gordy’s Tamla label in 1960. Mr. Davis often said how much he admired Gordy’s famous “quality control,” watching as he rehearsed his artists endlessly, when he was getting Motown off the ground.
“Don was a classy man, such grace and poise,” said Motown star Martha Reeves who was “second cousins twice removed” with Mr. Davis. “I was overwhelmed by his accomplishments. He really could play the guitar, too, but he set it aside to run the studio and record other musicians.”
Davis’ early recording credits cover some of the most-loved record companies from the golden era of Detroit pop/R&B: Northern, Thelma, Golden World, Ric-Tic, Revilot and Groovesville, which he founded.
Mayor Mike Duggan issued a statement:
“I was deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Don Davis, one of Detroit’s great icons. Don was the epitome of Detroit’s can-do spirit, having founded Michigan’s only minority-owned bank, First Independence, which he used as a vehicle to uplift countless residents of our city throughout the years. His presence will be sorely missed, but his legacy will endure and should be celebrated all Detroiters. My prayers go out to the Davis family.”
