Billy Davis is an inductee of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Doo Wop Hall of Fame, and the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame. Billy was the lead guitarist for Hank Ballard and The Midnighters for 30 years. Born in Bentonia, MS in 1938, by the age of 17, Billy Davis & The Upsetters became Berry Gordy’s first in-house live band. He was the guitarist for Jackie Wilson, Sam Cooke, Ben E. King, and many other artists including Martha and The Vandellas. Billy was the mentor and lifelong friend of Jimi Hendrix teaching him what he knew about guitar and his special sound which in later years became the signature for many other musicians.
Billy Davis is a hard-working guitarist, associated throughout the years with well-known musical contemporaries such as James Brown, David Ruffin, Chubby Checker and Berry Gordy; with fans as famous as Bruce Willis, Danny Glover and many others. Billy co-wrote music for many famous hits including “The Twist” when with Hank Ballard, which was later popularized with Chubby Checker’s version. In 1988 Billy appeared in the cult film Tapeheads with John Cusack and Tim Robbins.
Billy has been very active recording several albums including original songs, as well as collaborating with many other artists when called upon. He has continued to share his great insight into the music world and his golden memories of working with the greats as he is interviewed on many local and national radio stations and in national music magazines. He can be seen in the music documentary films Re-Mastered: The Two Killings of Sam Cooke and Paradise Boogie.
Billy continues to carry the torch in the music industry as he is a treasured music legend in his own time. He continues to mentor as he has included Mighty Michael Mendelson as special guest with his Billy Davis Rhythm Machine Band.
Mighty Michael, 15 years old, plays harmonica and guitar and sings. Michael has been performing since he was 7 years old. He has won many awards and nominations including a 2018 Detroit Music Award nomination, Tribute from the State of Michigan Best New Music Artist, 2018, Detroit Black Music Award 2019, SPAH (Society for the Preservation & Advancement of Harmonica) Youth Scholarship in Tulsa, OK 2019, and represented the USA in 2021. He was a 2022 SPAH Youth Scholar and had been awarded a 2022 Master Class Youth Scholarship by the Pinetop Perkins Foundation in Clarksdale, MS. In January 2023 Michael performed and recorded an album at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis with the International Crossroads Project band. In 2023 Michael was appointed to the Board of Directors, Youth Committee, of the Society for the Preservation and Advancement of the Harmonica (SPAH).
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