Record Producer Carl Davis Dies

Davis, hailed as the king of Chicago soul in his 1960s heyday, passed away at his home in Summerville, South Carolina on 9 August (12) from pulmonary fibrosis, according to close friend Gus Redmond.

Struggling to play instruments like his musically gifted family, Davis realised he had a talent for spotting a potential hit instead, and landed his first number one with Duke of Earl, sang by Gene Chandler, which topped the U.S. charts for five weeks in 1962.

He went on to produce popular songs for Curtis Mayfield, Major Lance, and Jackie Wilson, who he worked with on (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher.

Davis later founded two record labels - Dakar and Chi-Sound.

He is survived by his wife Dedra and seven children.