The Spencer Davis Group had eleven official members between their formation in Birmingham in 1963 and the end of their 1973–74 revival. The classic line-up was Spencer Davis (rhythm guitar, vocals), brothers Steve Winwood (lead vocals, keyboards, guitar) and Muff Winwood (bass), and Pete York (drums), the four who made the UK number ones “Keep On Running” and “Somebody Help Me” and the hits “Gimme Some Lovin'” and “I’m a Man”. After the Winwoods left in 1967, Eddie Hardin, Phil Sawyer, Ray Fenwick, Dee Murray, Dave Hynes and Nigel Olsson passed through before the 1969 split; Davis, Hardin and York revived the band in 1973 with bassist Charlie McCracken.
Davis toured under the name again from 2006 as the only original member, and died on 19 October 2020. Here is every member, with roles and years as the band’s own member list gives them.
Spencer Davis – Rhythm Guitar, Vocals, Bass (1963–1969, 1973–1974)
A guitarist from Swansea, Davis formed the band after seeing the Winwood brothers playing at Birmingham’s Golden Eagle pub as the Muff Woody Jazz Band, recruiting them and Pete York as the Rhythm and Blues Quartette. He led every version of the group until his death in 2020.
Steve Winwood – Lead Vocals, Lead Guitar, Keyboards (1963–1967)
Winwood was 14 when Davis found him. He sang and played organ on all the band’s big hits, then left in 1967 to form Traffic.
Muff Winwood – Bass, Backing Vocals (1963–1967)
Steve’s brother played bass on the hits and left with him in 1967, moving into A&R and record production.
Pete York – Drums (1963–1968)
The original drummer, York stayed a year beyond the Winwoods and returned with Davis for the 1973–74 revival.
Eddie Hardin – Lead Vocals, Keyboards (1967–1969, 1973–1974)
Hardin replaced Steve Winwood as singer and keyboardist in 1967 and was part of the 1970s revival. He died in 2015.
Ray Fenwick – Lead Guitar, Vocals (1967–1969)
Fenwick took over lead guitar in 1967 after Phil Sawyer’s brief spell and stayed until the split. He died in 2022.
Other Former Members
- Phil Sawyer – lead guitar, backing vocals (1967)
- Dee Murray – bass, backing vocals (1968–1969; died 1992)
- Dave Hynes – drums (1968)
- Nigel Olsson – drums (1968–1969)
- Charlie McCracken – bass, backing vocals (1973–1974)
Spencer Davis Group Line-Up Changes at a Glance
- 1963: Davis, the Winwood brothers and York form the band.
- 1967: Both Winwoods leave; Hardin, Sawyer and then Fenwick join.
- 1968: York leaves; Hynes, then Olsson, on drums; Murray on bass.
- 1969: The band splits.
- 1973–1974: Davis, Hardin and York revive the group with McCracken for two albums.
- 2006–2020: Davis tours under the name as the sole original member until his death.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who were the original members of the Spencer Davis Group? Spencer Davis, Steve Winwood, Muff Winwood and Pete York.
- Who sang “Gimme Some Lovin'”? Steve Winwood, the band’s lead vocalist from 1963 to 1967.
- Why did Steve Winwood leave? He left in 1967 to form Traffic.
- Who replaced Steve Winwood? Eddie Hardin on vocals and keyboards, with Phil Sawyer and then Ray Fenwick on lead guitar.
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