Spencer Davis Group: Steve Winwood’s First Band Was Named After the Guitarist
The Spencer Davis Group was formed—and named—after Welsh guitarist Spencer Davis. According to the band, the logic was simple: “If we name it after Spencer, he’ll have to do all the interviews while we can stay in bed.”
Formed in Birmingham in 1963, they signed to Island Records and scored their first number-one hit in 1965.
Their best-known tunes include covers of Keep On Running (originally by Jackie Edwards) and Georgia On My Mind (famously recorded by Ray Charles).
They also wrote their own material. The biggest tunes they penned were I’m a Man and their signature hit Gimme Some Lovin’.
When The Blues Brothers film hit cinemas in 1980, Gimme Some Lovin’ was covered on the soundtrack, reviving interest in The Spencer Davis Group and introducing the song to a new generation.
Despite the band being named after their guitarist, the real star was the teenage keyboard player and lead vocalist, Steve Winwood. After the group disbanded in 1967, Steve went on to form Traffic, and later Blind Faith with Eric Clapton.
The Spencer Davis Group Tunes | Related Pages
Georgia On My Mind | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play Georgia On My Mind by Ray Charles using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| G | B7/F# B7 |
Georgia, Georgia…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: Georgia On My Mind (Ray Charles) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Gimme Some Lovin’ | Chords + TAB
You can learn to play Gimme Some Lovin’ by The Spencer Davis Group + Blues Brothers using chords, lyrics, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| G | Bb | C | Eb |
So glad we made it. So glad we made it. You’ve got to…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: Gimme Some Lovin’ (The Spencer Davis Group + Blues Brothers) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
The Spencer Davis Group on the web
