Detroit musician, producer and businessman Don Davis had died at age 75. Davis was a true “Renaissance Man” of music and business who started as a Motown guitarist, went on to write and produce a slew of hits, and even led the empowerment movement as the founder of a bank aimed at African American citizens.
Music fans first heard Davis playing on several early Motown hits such as Barrett Strong’s “Money (That’s What I Want).” He went on to write and produce for R&B artists around the US, and scored a huge hit with his composition for Johnny Taylor, “Who’s Makin’ Love.” Davis bought and operated the legendary United Sound Studio in Detroit and produced projects with for the Dramatics, Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis and even the late David Ruffin (So Soon We Change). He also wrote and produced the #1 smash “Disco Lady” for Taylor. All told, Davis reportedly was a part of over 3,000 recordings during his long career.
While continuing to be relevant in the music industry, Davis became the founder and President of First Independence Bank, a downtown Detroit bank that aimed to better serve the area’s African American community.
Don Davis was a giant of a man in both the music and business worlds, and he will be missed.
