Roger Davies (manager)

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Roger Davies is an Australian born business manager and music producer with a long career in the music industry. His career has taken him from working as a roadie in Australia in the early 1970s to managing some of the most successful female pop/rock performers in the world including Olivia Newton-John, Tina Turner, Cher, Janet Jackson, Sade and Pink.

Contents

[edit] Beginnings in Australia

Davies was born in Melbourne, Australia in 1952. A frustrated bass player, he decided to drop out of university and begin working for the Consolidated Rock booking agency (the precursor to the present day Premier/Harbour mega-agencies). He worked as a roadie and then road manager for cult Australian band Company Caine, and between gigs took work in the agency.

[edit] Sherbet

In 1970, Davies spotted pop/rock band Sherbet during a residency at a Sydney discotheque. He took over Sherbet's management, and helped them become a national sensation. For most of the 1970s Sherbet was one of Australia's most popular and successful groups, scoring numerous hit singles and albums, winning a string of awards and becoming the first local act to sell a million dollars worth of records in Australia. They established their own label, Razzle Records, and promoted their own national tours with their own lightshow and sound system. This early success provided Davies with the experience that would eventually take him to the top in his chosen field.

[edit] Move Overseas

Davies has been based in the United States and England since 1979. He took Sherbet overseas following their breakthrough international success of their hit single "Howzat!" (1976). They relocated to the USA in 1978 but were unable to break into the US music scene and eventually returned to Australia. By the time Sherbet split in 1981, Davies had ended his relationship with Sherbet and moved to Los Angeles, where he began working briefly for Lee Kramer, who was then managing (and was romantically involved with) expatriate Australian singer Olivia Newton-John. One of Davies' first clients in the USA was former Steve & The Board front man Steve Kipner, who wrote the song "Physical". And it was on the set of Olivia's ABC TV Special "Hollywood Nights" Produced by Lee Kramer that he met Tina Turner for the first time. Tina was later to be signed to Kramers management company.

[edit] Olivia Newton-John

Kipner wrote "Physical" for Tina Turner but she thought it "too obvious" and turned it down.[1] When Kipner played Davies the demo of "Let's Get Physical" he decided it was perfect for Olivia, and while she recorded it, Olivia panicked after afterwards, thinking the song was too suggestive,[2] "Physical" proved to be an international smash hit and it stayed at the top of the USA charts for ten weeks.[3] Davies took over Olivia's management following her split Lee Kramer, and Davies played a major part in the massive success Olivia enjoyed in the early 1980s, including her multi-million-selling albums Physical and Soul Kiss and her her sell-out North American tour

[edit] Tina Turner

In 1979, Davies became the manager of singer Tina Turner. Tina's career was at a low ebb after she separated from her husband Ike; she was virtually broke and without a record contract. Davies guided Tina's incredible comeback, and over a four-year period rebuilt Turner's career, and helped her to launch her solo career.

By the 1970s, Ike Turner had become heavily addicted to drugs and abused his wife. After years of conflict, Tina had walked out of her disastrous marriage but she left the partnership with nothing and over the next few years struggled to survive as a solo artist. By 1979, she was without a record contract for the first time in her career. She was supporting herself by gigging on the hotel and club circuit but although her talent was undiminished, she realised that she needed new songs, new management and a new image if she was going to reach a wider audience and make it as a solo performer.

In 1979, Davies accompanied Lee Kramer to see Tina live for the first time at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco and it was a turning point for both of them. Roger & Lee met Tina after the show and saw that she was still hungry for success: "She he said 'I want to get out of here and play rock venues.' Tina opted to take lee Kramer on as her manager, Roger reluctantly went along with the plan[1] and he set to work finding her a new contract, although the next couple of years proved to be a testing time. To support herself, Tina worked on the club circuit, while Davies called in every favor owed to him to put together a comeback.

Tina's comeback began in UK with a dynamic cover of The Temptations' "Ball of Confusion", recorded with Heaven 17 alter-ego British Electric Foundation (BEF), and this was followed by a cover of Al Green's "Let's Stay Together", which was a hit in Europe.[1] Her major breakthrough came with "What's Love Got to Do with It", a song written for her by Terry Britten (ex The Twilights), although Tina disliked the song and originally turned it down. Despite her reservations, it became a huge success, providing her with her first US #1 hit. The single "Private Dancer" (penned by Mark Knopfler) was a major international hit and the 1984 album Private Dancer became one of the biggest successes of the 1980s, earning Tina three Grammy Awards in 1985, and re-establishing her as one of the world's top rock performers. On the day the single hit #1 in the USA, Tina was offered the role of "Aunty Entity" in the Australian film Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome. Turner's profile has endured and in 2000 her Twenty Four Seven Tour was also the highest grossing US tour of the year.

Davies notoriety in the music business has led to him becoming probably the only Australian rock manager ever to be wrongly portrayed in American TV and film. In 1993, the biography of Tina Turner by Kurt Loder, What's Love Got to Do with It, was made into a hit film with Angela Bassett as Tina and Australian singer-actor James Reyne (former lead singer of Australian Crawl) portraying Davies when actually it was lee kramer who should have been credited. He was also satirically portrayed by Alec Baldwin in a Saturday Night Live sketch when Tina guested on the program.

[edit] Janet Jackson

Davies was instrumental in the meteoric rise to fame of Janet Jackson in 1990, and her chart and touring dominance throughout that decade. He oversaw the recording of the single "Rhythm Nation" and Janet's first world tour in support of a studio album became the most successful debut tour by any recording artist.

He managed her for 15 years and during this period she had 22 top 10 singles which included 9 #1 hits.

[edit] Cher

Pop icon Cher has the unique distinction of being the only female performer to have #1 hits in six successive decades.

Davies began working with Cher in the late 1990s, around the time of her massive international smash hit "Believe" in 1999. He oversaw her highly acclaimed 1999 "Believe" Tour, the most successful tour of her career at that point, but it would be eclipsed by the three year, 325-show world "Farewell Tour" that Davies set up for her. Playing to more than three million fans from 2003–2005,grossing a massive US$145 million, and captured on film in an Emmy-winning NBC special, it remains the most successful tour by any female artist.

In 2008, Davies negotiated a three year residency at the Colosseum, Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

[edit] Pink

Davies has enjoyed continuing success with American singer-songwriter Pink. He took over her management commencing from her second album, 2001's Missundaztood. Pink was unhappy with her direction and reportedly had little control over her first album, so she enlisted the help of singer-songwriter Linda Perry (4 Non Blondes) for her next and personal second album. Davies had been impressed enough with Pink's presence in her first video to review her debut album (which he reportedly did not like), but when he heard some of the early songs Pink wrote with Perry he was intrigued:

"She not only sang the tracks, but she acted them out." "She said, 'This song is going to be the first single, and this is how the video should be.' By then I knew I wanted to manage her. I told her that she was taking a huge risk by changing her sound, but she knew that. She was just fearless."

Davies and Pink's determination paid off. Her second album proved a tremendous hit, with worldwide sales of over 16 million, winning over critics and fans alike and earning Pink two Grammy nominations, and the single "Get the Party Started" became a Top Five US hit. Pink's 2003 third album Try This sold also over 3 million copies worldwide, and earned Pink her second Grammy Award for her song "Trouble".

Her fourth album, 2006's I'm Not Dead, sold over 6 million copies worldwide, and its tour of the same name smashed attendance records in Australia and Europe for a solo female artist.

In 2009, Pink's fifth album "Funhouse" outsold her "I'm Not Dead" album and producing hit singles "So What" and "Sober". Her "Funhouse" arena tour played to over two million people at 160 sold out dates worldwide, And in 2010, she followed it up with her "Funhouse Summer Carnival Tour", playing 34 European stadium and festival shows in 14 countries in 12 weeks, adding a further one million fans.

Pink has sold over 30 millions records

[edit] Sade

Davies started managing soul and R&B band, Sade,in 1990. The first album under his management was "Love Deluxe", released in 1992. It hit the top ten in several countries and achieved quadruple platinum status in the US. The album was the basis for the "Love Deluxe" world tour by the band and the single "No Ordinary Love" won the Grammy Award for best R & B performance by a duo or group.

Sade then released "The Best of Sade" in 1994, dominating the charts in 1994 and 1995, going quadruple platinum in the US and selling more than two million copies in Europe. After a break of eight years between studio albums, Sade delivered their fifth album, "Lovers Rock" in 2000. While featuring an evolution of the Sade sound, it replicated the success of previous albums, achieving triple platinum status and winning the Grammy Award for best Pop vocal Album in 2002.

The band's latest album "Soldier of Love" was released in February 2010. It debuted at #1 in 34 countries, including in the US charts where is stayed for five weeks. A tour of Europe and North America is planned 2011.

Sade has sold over 55 million albums

[edit] Joe Cocker

Davies has been managing rock legend Joe Cocker since 1991, during which time Joe has released 7 studio albums from "Night Calls" in 1992, to his current release "Hard Knocks" in 2010.

Joe tours the world constantly, his legendary live performances still being very much in demand—

[edit] Other artists

Veteran singer-songwriter Tony Joe White and Australian entertainer James Reyne for many years. He has also been manager for Australian songstress Natalie Imbruglia and Canadian-born singer Dalbello (aka Lisa Dal Bello).

[edit] Awards

[edit] 2004 Music Managers Awards

In 2004, Davies was awarded the Lifetime Membership Award at the 2004 MMF Music Managers Awards by the MMF [Music Managers Forum (Aust)].

[edit] 2008 APRA Awards

Davies was honoured by the Australian music industry. Famed within the music industry for his incredible career, he was awarded one of their highest accolades - the Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Music. The award was presented at the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) awards ceremony in Sydney Australia on 16 June 2008.[4] CEO of APRA/AMCOS, Brett Cottle, also said:

"Roger Davies' gift to the artists he represents is his incomparable drive, passion and determined belief in their talent. That's an unbeatable combination that has brought great artists to the public's attention. It's a pleasure to recognize his contribution to the cause of music creators."

Pink pre-recorded a message of congratulations to Davies for the ceremony, in which she said:

"I wouldn't be where I was without you -- your reputation is impeccable, the respect that you've garnered over the years is amazing and well deserved."

[edit] Currently

Roger Davies and his company, RDWM,/ RD Worldwide Management / Roger Davies Worldwide Management currently manages artists such as Tina, Cher, Pink, Sade, and Joe Cocker.[5]

[edit] Music & Film Credits

Some music record / CD / DVD credits include (incomplete and draft list only):

[edit] Pink

Pink Who Knew, Pt. 2 (Maxi Single) - 2007 - Management

Pink Box - (3 x CD Album set with Try This DVD) - Executive Producer

Pink: Live from Wembley Arena - London, England (DVD) - 2007 - Executive Producer

I'm Not Dead (Platinum) (CD Album) - 2006 - Executive Producer

Live in Europe (DVD) - 2004 - Executive Producer

Trouble (Australia) Executive - Producer

Trouble (UK Single) Executive - Producer

Try This (Bonus Tracks) - Executive Producer

Try This (CD Album) - Executive Producer

Last to Know (Holland CD) - Management

Last to Know (2 Track Single - Club Edit) - Management

[edit] Joe Cocker

Classic Cocker (CD Album) - Producer

Gold Executive - Producer

Heroes & Friends Executive - Producer

Heroes & Friends - Management

Heart & Soul (US Bonus Track) - Executive Producer

Heart & Soul - Executive Producer

Live: Across from Midnight Tour - Executive Producer

Ultimate Collection - Executive Producer

Ultimate Collection - Producer

Ultimate Collection 1968-2003 - Executive Producer

Ultimate Collection 1968-2003 - Producer

Greatest Love Songs - Producer

Super Hits - Producer

Joe Cocker (Mushroom) - Producer

Greatest Hits (EMI) - Management / Producer

Across from Midnight - Executive Producer

Have a Little Faith - Producer

Joe Cocker - Best of

Joe Cocker (Capitol) - Producer

Best of Joe Cocker (Capitol Import) - Executive Producer

[edit] Janet Jackson

Live in Hawaii (CD Album) - Executive Producer

Live in Hawaii - Executive Producer

Janet Jackson: Janet - Live in Hawaii (DVD) - 2002 - Executive Producer

Velvet Rope Tour/Live In Hawaii - Executive Producer

Just a Little While (2 Tracks) - Management

[edit] Cher

Cher Live: The Farewell Tour - Executive Producer

Very Best of Cher (Special Edition) - Executive Producer

When the Money's Gone (CD/12" Single) Management

[edit] Tina Turner

2000 - Best of Tina Turner: Celebrate! (DVD) - Executive Producer

Greatest Hits (Cema) - Executive Producer

Greatest Hits (Cema) - Producer

What's Love Got to Do with It - Executive Producer

What's Love Got to Do with It - Producer

All the Best: The Hits - Executive Producer

All the Best: The Hits - Management

Live in Amsterdam/One Last Time - Executive Producer

All the Best: The Hits - Producer

All the Best: The Live Collection (DVD) - Executive Producer

All the Best: The Live Collection (DVD) - Management

All the Best - Executive Producer

All the Best - Producer

Simply the Best (CD & DVD) - Arranger / Executive Producer

Celebrate: The Best of Tina Turner (Video/DVD) - Executive Producer

Twenty Four Seven Executive - Producer

Wildest Dreams (Bonus CD) - Executive Producer

Live in Amsterdam: Wildest Dreams Tour - Executive Producer

Wildest Dreams - Management

Collected Recordings - Sixties to Nineties - Producer

Foreign Affair - Arranger

Foreign Affair - Producer

What's Love Got to Do with It (Bonus Tracks) - Executive Producer

Break Every Rule - Director

Wildest Dreams - Executive Producer

[edit] Others

Tony Joe White - One Hot July - Producer

Sherbet - Slipstream - Direction

Sherbet - On with the Show Coordination Sherbet Slipstream - Management

Tony Joe White - Lake Placid Blues - Management

Tony Joe White - Lake Placid Blues - Producer

Mick Jagger - Primitive Cool Creative - Consultant

Sade - Remix Deluxe - Management

Tony Joe White - Best of Tony Joe White - Management

John Travolta - Two of a Kind - Production Coordination

Sherbet - Collection Cover - Design

Hobo Hobo - Vocals

Various Artists - 101 80's - Hits Producer

Various Artists - I Luv Mum: For the Best Mum in the World Ever (2007) - Producer

Various Artists - Let's Hear It for the Girls - Producer

Various Artists - I Luv Mum: For the Best Mum in the World Ever - Producer

Various Artists - Housework Songs - Producer

Various Artists - Best of 1990-2000 - Producer

Various Artists - Brilliant! The Global Dance Music Experience, Vol. 2 - Producer

Various Artists - Diana, Princess of Wales: Tribute - Executive Producer

Movie Soundtrack - Blown Away - Producer

Various Artists - Luv Collection: Movie Luv - Producer

Various Artists - Two Rooms: Celebrating the Songs of Elton John & Bernie Taupin - Producer

Various Artists - Greatest Voices - Executive Producer

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ a b c "How we met: Roger Davies and Tina Turner", The Independent (London), 9 July 2000; interviews by Pierre Perrone (accessed 25 April 2009)
  2. ^ Songwriter Universe - Steve Kipner
  3. ^ Answers.com - Steve Kipner
  4. ^ "2008 Winners - APRA Music Awards". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/apraawards/musicawards/history/2008Winners.aspx. Retrieved 28 April 2010. 
  5. ^ "How we met: Roger Davies & Tina Turner", The Independent, 9 June 2000, accessed 25 April 2009

[edit] References / External Links

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