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Roquel "Billy" Davis, Songwriter, Producer, Founder of Anna Records
| by Michael Macomber |
Roquel Billy Davis
July 11th, 1932 to
Sept 2, 2004
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Also known as Billy Davis and Tyran Carlo, Roquel Davis is the man behind many of Jackie Wilson's greatest hits, including Reet Petite, Lonely Teardrops, That's Why (I Love You So), To Be Loved, and I'll Be Satisfied (all penned with collaborator and Motown Records founder Berry Gordy, Jr.)
Born in Detroit, Michigan, Davis honed his musical abilities while singing doo-wop on street corners and in talent shows. He got his first taste of the business side of music in the early '50s, as manager for his cousin Lawrence Payton's new group, the Four Aims (later known as the Four Tops). A demo of the Four Aims singing three Davis compositions landed the group a contract with the Chicago-based Chess Records. |
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While the Aims/Tops didn't score big with Chess (their debut single flopped), Davis did. Chess liked his writing style, and gave his songs to several other artists on the label, including the Moonglows (See Saw) and the Flamingos (A Kiss From Your Lips).
Meanwhile, Davis had begun dating Gwen Gordy, the sister of Berry Gordy Jr. This led to a three way partnership, with Davis and Berry Gordy collaborating on songs, and Davis and Gwen Gordy going on to found Anna Records in 1958.
The songwriting team of Davis and Gordy became a powerhouse, churning out winners for such artists as the Miracles (Got A Job), LaVern Baker (Jim Dandy Got Married), Mabel John (Who Wouldn't Love A Man Like That), and Marv Johnson (You Got What It Takes). Davis and Gordy also jointly managed the Miracles and Marv Johnson. Eventually, the Anna label became part of Motown.
The early '60s found Davis writing hits for Etta James and taking a job with the Chess Label, as head of the A&R department. Chess wanted to expand their blues based sound to include the new soul market, and Davis was just the man to do it. Relocating to Chicago in 1962, he went on to produce and/or write classic recordings for the Dells, Billy Stewart, Mitty Collier, Jackie Ross, Little Milton, the Gems, and many others.
His biggest hit, 1965's Rescue Me by Fontella Bass, caught the attention of the McCann-Erickson ad agency in New York. In 1968, Davis signed with the agency, and helped to create one of the most well-known jingles in history, I'd Like To Buy The World A Coke (written by Roger Cook and Roger Greenaway). Davis would later rewrite the song as I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing (In Perfect Harmony). Ultimately, Davis would become senior vice-president and music director for McCann-Erickson. He was also inducted into the Advertising Hall of Fame in 2007. |
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Roquel Davis songs on Darin LPs:
Bobby Darin (Atco 33-102, September 1958)—Actions Speak Louder Than Words (Roquel Davis/Berry Gordy Jr.) |
Roquel Davis Links:
Roquel Davis at spectropop.com
Roquel Davis at the Advertising Hall of Fame |
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