Dave Lewis (American musician) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dave Lewis
Background information
Birth name	David Eugene Lewis
Born	1938 Texas, United States
Died	March 13, 1998 (1998-03-14) (aged 59) San Diego, California, United States
Genres	R&B
Occupation(s)	Musician
Instruments	Keyboards, vocals
Years active	1956–69
Labels	Jerden, A&M
Associated acts	Dave Lewis Combo

David Eugene Lewis (1938 – March 13, 1998) was an American musician. He played keyboards, organ, and sang. Dave Lewis was known for his R&B and rock music. He was based in Seattle, Washington. Many people say he was a very important musician in the Pacific Northwest during the 1950s and 1960s. His band, the Dave Lewis Combo, was one of the first important African American rock and roll bands in Seattle.

Dave Lewis: A Music Legend

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Dave Lewis was born in Texas in 1938. His family moved to the Pacific Northwest during World War II. They first settled in Bremerton, Washington. Music was a big part of his family. His father, David Lewis, Sr., played guitar well. His mother, Bertha Lewis, was also a talented piano player. A famous musician named Quincy Jones was a neighbor. He even took some music lessons from Dave's father.

Later, both the Lewis and Jones families moved to Seattle. They lived in the Central District. This area was the heart of African-American life in Seattle at the time. Dave's father worked at Boeing and also in a barber shop. Dave tried both guitar and piano. He loved the piano, especially after hearing Ray Charles. Ray Charles was starting his music career in Seattle around that time.

Dave's first music group was called the Five Checks. It was a doo-wop singing group. They formed to enter a talent show at Edmond Meany Jr. High School. They performed at schools around Seattle. Many audiences had never heard live music like theirs before.

Forming the Dave Lewis Combo

While at Garfield High School, Dave Lewis formed the band that made him famous locally. George Griffin, from his doo-wop group, played drums. Barney Hilliard and J. B. Allen played saxophone. Jack Grey played upright bass, and Al Aquino played guitar.

Barney Hilliard, a former member of the Dave Lewis Combo, in 2018.

The band started by playing at teenage parties. Soon, they became an opening act for touring R&B groups. They played at Seattle's Palomar Theater. The Dave Lewis Combo opened for many famous artists. These included Sugar Pie DeSanto, Sugar Chile Robinson, and Wild Bill Davis.

In the summer of 1956, Dave Lewis was still in high school. But his band was very popular. They toured the Pacific Northwest. They opened for Bill Haley & His Comets. This led to more chances to open for big stars. They played with Ray Charles, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, the Platters, Ike and Tina Turner, the Drifters, Roy Orbison, and Gene Vincent.

In 1957, Dave and his band became the house band at Birdland. This was a top R&B club in Seattle. They helped make the song Louie Louie very popular in the region. The famous guitarist Jimi Hendrix sometimes joined them for jam sessions.

Breaking Down Barriers

Dave Lewis's popularity helped change the music scene in Seattle. At that time, Seattle had two musician's unions. One was for white musicians and one for black musicians. Dave's band was the first African-American group to play often in places usually for white bands. This included downtown clubs and college parties.

When the white musicians' union complained, a club owner named Dick Parker stood up for Lewis. He said he would choose Dave's band over the union's bands. Because of this, the two Seattle musician unions merged on January 14, 1958. This was a big step towards fairness in music.

Success in the 1960s

In 1962, Seattle hosted the Century 21 Exposition (a world's fair). Dave Lewis formed a new band for this event. J. B. Allen stayed from the old group. New members were guitarist Jim Manolides and drummer Don "Candido" Mallory. This new group became the house band at Dave's Fifth Avenue, near the fairgrounds.

After the fair, Lewis started playing the Hammond B-3 organ. He formed a new trio. They had minor hit songs like "David's Mood (Part 2)" (1963) and "Little Green Thing" (1964). Other bands in the Pacific Northwest often played these songs. By the mid-1960s, Dave Lewis mostly stopped touring. He played many local club gigs until the early 1970s.

Later Years and Legacy

Dave Lewis continued to perform later in his life. In 1987, he played in a Northwest Rock reunion concert. In 1989, he was added to the Northwest Area Music Association's Hall of Fame. Dave Lewis passed away on March 13, 1998. Some of his music was released again on CD in 2006.

Discography Highlights

Dave Lewis released many songs and albums during his career. Here are some of his notable works:

Albums

• Little Green Thing LP (1964)
• Dave Lewis Plays Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass LP (1966)
• High Heel Sneakers LP (1967)

Reissues and Compilations

• The Godfather of Northwest Rock & the King of Seattle R & B CD (2006)

Images for kids

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  Dave Lewis