Spencer Davis, whose group helped popularize blues and R & B in Britain in the 1960s, has died in hospital while being treated for pneumonia.

He was 81.

 

Guitarist Davis and drummer Pete York recruited 15-year-old Steve Winwood and his brother Muff in 1963 to form the band that was first called ”Spencer Davis R & B Quartet” and then ”The Spencer Davis Group.”

(Spencer Davis, 2nd from left)

Their first single ”I Can’t Stand It” was released in 1964.

The group topped the charts the next year with ”Keep On Running,” and in 1966 with ”Somebody Help Me.”

Other hits included ”Gimme Some Lovin” and ”I’m a Man,” which was their last major hit.