Bonnie Davis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bonnie Davis
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Gertrude Melba Smith |
| Also known as | Melba Moorman |
| Born | June 10, 1920 New Orleans, Louisiana, United States |
| Died | August 1976 (age 56) New Jersey, United States |
| Genres | R&B, jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
| Years active | Late 1930s - early 1970s |
| Labels | Savoy, Columbia, Decca, etc. |
| Associated acts | Teddy Hill The Piccadilly Pipers Clem Moorman |
Bonnie Davis, whose real name was Gertrude Melba Smith (born June 10, 1920 – died August 1976), was an American R&B singer. She became very popular in the 1940s. Her song "Don't Stop Now" was a huge hit. It reached number one on the R&B music chart in 1943. Bonnie Davis was also the mother of the well-known singer Melba Moore.
Contents
Life and Music Career
Early Life and Starting Music
Melba Smith was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. When she was a child, her family moved to Bessemer, Alabama. At first, she planned to become a school teacher. But in the late 1930s, she started singing in New York. Her first singing job was with saxophonist Teddy Hill's band.
By early 1942, she joined a new group called the Piccadilly Pipers. This group often performed at the Piccadilly Club in Newark, New Jersey. The Piccadilly Pipers included Clement Moorman on piano and vocals, Ernie Ransome on guitar and vocals, and Henry Padgette on bass.
The Piccadilly Pipers and "Don't Stop Now"
Bonnie Davis recorded several songs with the Piccadilly Pipers. One of these songs was "Don't Stop Now". They recorded it for Herman Lubinsky, who had just started Savoy Records.
However, there was a rule at the time called the "Petrillo Ban". This rule stopped musicians who were part of a union from releasing records under their real names. So, the song was released under a different name. Melba Smith used the stage name Bonnie Davis. The musicians were called the "Bunny Banks Trio" to hide their real identities.
On March 6, 1943, "Don't Stop Now" became a number one hit. It topped the "Harlem Hit Parade" chart. This chart was later renamed the R&B chart.
Savoy Records released more songs by Bonnie Davis. She was sometimes called "The Oomph Girl". These songs were also credited to the Bunny Banks Trio. But in 1945, the record label started using the name Piccadilly Pipers again.
In the same year, Bonnie Davis and bandleader Teddy Hill had a daughter. Her name was Beatrice Hill, but she later became famous as the singer Melba Moore. Soon after Melba was born, Bonnie and Teddy separated. In 1950, Bonnie Davis married pianist Clem Moorman.
Later Career and Collaborations
Bonnie Davis and the Piccadilly Pipers left Savoy Records in 1946. They started releasing new songs again in 1950. Over the next four years, they recorded for several different labels. These included Keystone, Columbia, Coral, and Melmar. However, these new songs were not as popular as "Don't Stop Now".
The group had some changes in its members. Bonnie Davis and Clem Moorman were always the main members. Other musicians joined and left the group over time.
In 1955, Bonnie Davis began recording as a solo singer. She first recorded for Decca Records. Then she recorded for other labels. In 1966, she released an LP (a type of album) called All I Want Is You. This album was credited to Bonnie & Clem, also known as "The Aero-Dynamic Singers".
Bonnie Davis and Clem Moorman continued to perform together in clubs. They worked as a duo until the early 1970s. They later separated. Bonnie Davis passed away in August 1976 in East Orange, New Jersey. She was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in North Arlington, New Jersey.
