Harold Edward Davis (February 8, 1933 – November 18, 1998) was an American songwriter and record producer.[2] Davis was a producer and writer for Motown Records for nearly thirty years, and was a key figure in the latter part of the Motown career of The Jackson 5.
Davis began his music career in his teens as a singer, managed by Henry Stone. He released a string of singles under his own name, mainly for small labels,[3] and moved to Los Angeles in 1960 where he continued to record but increasingly worked as a songwriter and record producer. He discovered young singer Brenda Holloway, and recorded duets with her on small local labels in the early 1960s. He also wrote and recorded with singer Jennell Hawkins.[1]
In about 1962, he introduced himself to Berry Gordy, who installed Davis as head of Motown's first Los Angeles operation, later opening the MoWest label. Working with Marc Gordon, Davis was able to reproduce the elements of the Motown sound with Los Angeles musicians, and found success with records by both Brenda and her sister Patrice Holloway. In the mid-1960s, Stevie Wonder made a series of recordings including the album Stevie at the Beach and single "Hey Harmonica Man", co-produced by Davis.[1] Most notably, Davis was the co-writer and producer of Jackson 5 hits such as "I'll Be There" and "Dancing Machine," and Eddie Kendricks' "Can I".[4]
^Hal Davis Discography, 45cat.com. Retrieved 6 March 2017
^ Songs written by Hal Davis, Music Vf.com. Retrieved 6 March 2017
May 02, 2024
davis, confused, with, david, this, article, about, songwriter, record, producer, american, labor, unionist, davis, american, football, quarterback, harold, davis, american, football, american, sprinter, harold, davis, sprinter, this, article, needs, additiona. Not to be confused with Hal David This article is about the songwriter and record producer For the American labor unionist see Hal C Davis For the American football quarterback see Harold Davis American football For the American sprinter see Harold Davis sprinter This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Hal Davis news newspapers books scholar JSTOR August 2016 Learn how and when to remove this message Harold Edward Davis February 8 1933 November 18 1998 was an American songwriter and record producer 2 Davis was a producer and writer for Motown Records for nearly thirty years and was a key figure in the latter part of the Motown career of The Jackson 5 Hal DavisDavis with the Jackson 5Background informationBirth nameHarold Edward DavisBorn 1933 02 08 February 8 1933Cincinnati Ohio U S DiedNovember 18 1998 1998 11 18 aged 65 Los Angeles California U S Genresrhythm and bluesOccupation s Songwriter record producer singerYears active1960 1998 1 Career editDavis began his music career in his teens as a singer managed by Henry Stone He released a string of singles under his own name mainly for small labels 3 and moved to Los Angeles in 1960 where he continued to record but increasingly worked as a songwriter and record producer He discovered young singer Brenda Holloway and recorded duets with her on small local labels in the early 1960s He also wrote and recorded with singer Jennell Hawkins 1 In about 1962 he introduced himself to Berry Gordy who installed Davis as head of Motown s first Los Angeles operation later opening the MoWest label Working with Marc Gordon Davis was able to reproduce the elements of the Motown sound with Los Angeles musicians and found success with records by both Brenda and her sister Patrice Holloway In the mid 1960s Stevie Wonder made a series of recordings including the album Stevie at the Beach and single Hey Harmonica Man co produced by Davis 1 Most notably Davis was the co writer and producer of Jackson 5 hits such as I ll Be There and Dancing Machine and Eddie Kendricks Can I 4 Davis also produced for Bette Midler her Motown record of 1975 produced by Davis was never released Bobby Taylor amp the Vancouvers The Supremes Gladys Knight amp the Pips Thelma Houston Diana Ross Florence Ballard Mary Wilson Marvin Gaye Four Tops Junior Walker and The Miracles During the disco era he produced hit songs for Diana Ross Love Hangover Thelma Houston Don t Leave Me This Way and Syreeta Can t Shake Your Love Davis remained with Motown until the 1990s He died in 1998 aged 65 1 References edit a b c d Graham Betts Motown Encyclopedia AC Publishing 2014 Hal Davis Discogs Hal Davis Discography 45cat com Retrieved 6 March 2017 Songs written by Hal Davis Music Vf com Retrieved 6 March 2017 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Hal Davis amp oldid 1205255668, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
