by Dick Mac
![]()
Dennis Davis was born in New York City on August 28, 1949, and died of cancer on April 6, 2016, in New York City. He was a drummer, percussionist, and session musician.
Davis was a true New Yorker and as a young man studied with drummers Max Roach and Elvin Jones before joining the Clark Terry Big Band.
During the Vietnam War, he joined the U.S. Navy and was discharged in 1970. During his military service, he honed his skills playing with the Navy's Drum and Bugle Corps.
While playing with Roy Ayers in the 1970s, he was hired to work on David Bowie's "Young Americans" album. He became Bowie's go-to percussionist on records and tours for many years as a member of rhythm section nicknamed the "DAM Trio" for Davis, Carlos Alomar, and George Murray.
After the commercial success of the work he did with Bowie, Davis was integral to creating the radical sounds for Bowie's "Low" album, a major breakthrough in recorded music. Unlike many musicians who worked with David Bowie, Davis snagged a songwriting credit for "Breaking Glass" on the "Low" record.
As well as his success with Bowie, Dennis Davis worked with the aforementioned Roy Ayers, as well as George Benson, Jermaine Jackson, Garland Jeffreys, Iggy Pop, Smokey Robinson, and Stevie Wonder.
Davis' son Hikaru Davis has produced a series of interviews with musicians who worked with his father (see link below). His son T-Bone Motta has been the drummer for Public Enemy since 2012.
History often ignores musicians who are not front men or lead singers, divas or pop stars. Dennis Davis was a major talent who was recognized by some of his era's biggest stars, making him a vital part of American music history.
Watch the Hikaru Davis video series "The HD Projects": https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCY2aDqSy2_g6hysuYU7uOPw
#blackhistorymonth #BlackLivesMatter #WorkForChange