Roger Davies (manager)
Encyclopedia
Roger Davies is an Australia
n 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
.
, 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.
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.
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.
and Soul Kiss
and her her sell-out North American tour
. 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 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. 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 Award
s 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.
" 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.
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.
. 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:
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
,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
Joe tours the world constantly, his legendary live performances still being very much in demand—
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).
(APRA) awards ceremony
in Sydney Australia on 16 June 2008
. CEO of APRA/AMCOS, Brett Cottle, also said:
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."
.
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
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
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
Very Best of Cher (Special Edition) - Executive Producer
When the Money's Gone (CD/12" Single) Management
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
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
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n born business manager
Business manager
In a general context, a business manager is a person who manages the work of others in order to run a business efficiently and make a large profit...
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
Olivia Newton-John
Olivia Newton-John AO, OBE is a singer and actress. She is a four-time Grammy award winner who has amassed five No. 1 and ten other Top Ten Billboard Hot 100 singles and two No. 1 Billboard 200 solo albums. Eleven of her singles and 14 of her albums have been certified gold by the RIAA...
, Tina Turner
Tina Turner
Tina Turner is an American singer and actress whose career has spanned more than 50 years. She has won numerous awards and her achievements in the rock music genre have led many to call her the "Queen of Rock 'n' Roll".Turner started out her music career with husband Ike Turner as a member of the...
, Cher
Cher
Cher is an American recording artist, television personality, actress, director, record producer and philanthropist. Referred to as the Goddess of Pop, she has won an Academy Award, a Grammy Award, an Emmy Award, three Golden Globes and a Cannes Film Festival Award among others for her work in...
, Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson
Janet Damita Jo Jackson is an American recording artist and actress. Known for a series of sonically innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows, television and film roles, she has been a prominent figure in popular culture for over 25 years...
, Sade
Sade (band)
Sade is a British smooth jazz band that formed in 1983, named for Nigerian lead singer Sade Adu. Their music features elements of R&B, soul, jazz, and soft rock....
and Pink
Pink (singer)
Alecia Beth Moore , better known by her stage name Pink , is an American singer-songwriter, musician and actress....
.
Beginnings in Australia
Davies was born in MelbourneMelbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
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
Company Caine
Company Caine, also known as Co. Caine and Company Kane, is an Australian progressive rock band of the 1970s. The band was formed in Melbourne in 1970 with member as follows:* Gulliver Smith * Russell Smith * Jeremy Noone 1970-71, 1975...
, and between gigs took work in the agency.
Sherbet
In 1970, Davies spotted pop/rock band SherbetSherbet (band)
Sherbet was one of the most prominent and successful Australian rock bands of the 1970s. Their biggest singles were "Summer Love" and "Howzat" , both reaching number one in Australia. "Howzat" was also a top 5 hit in the UK. Though the band's success in the U.S...
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.
Move Overseas
Davies has been based in the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
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
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, where he began working briefly for Lee Kramer, who was then managing (and was romantically involved with) expatriate Australian singer Olivia Newton-John
Olivia Newton-John
Olivia Newton-John AO, OBE is a singer and actress. She is a four-time Grammy award winner who has amassed five No. 1 and ten other Top Ten Billboard Hot 100 singles and two No. 1 Billboard 200 solo albums. Eleven of her singles and 14 of her albums have been certified gold by the RIAA...
. One of Davies' first clients in the USA was former Steve & The Board front man Steve Kipner
Steve Kipner
Steve Kipner is a multi-platinum-selling songwriter and record producer with hits spanning over a 40 year history, including chart-topping songs such as Olivia Newton-John's "Physical", Chicago's Grammy-nominated "Hard Habit to Break", "Genie In A Bottle" by Christina Aguilera, for which he won an...
, who wrote the song "Physical
Physical (Olivia Newton-John song)
"Physical" is a song by Australian pop singer Olivia Newton-John, released in September 1981. The song was an immediate success, shipping 2 million copies in the United States, being certified Platinum, and spending 10 weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, ultimately becoming Newton-John's...
". 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.
Olivia Newton-John
Kipner wrote "Physical" for Tina Turner but she thought it "too obvious" and turned it down. 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, "Physical" proved to be an international smash hit and it stayed at the top of the USA charts for ten weeks. 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 PhysicalPhysical (Olivia Newton-John album)
Physical is a 1981 MCA Records studio album by Olivia Newton-John. It is her most successful studio album, being certified double Platinum in the US. The title track, written by Steve Kipner and Terry Shaddick, spent ten weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100 matching the then record of most weeks at No....
and Soul Kiss
Soul Kiss
Soul Kiss is the thirteenth studio album released by Olivia Newton-John in 1985. The sleeve contains photography by Helmut Newton and Herb Ritts.-Reception:...
and her her sell-out North American tour
Tina Turner
In 1979, Davies became the manager of singer Tina TurnerTina Turner
Tina Turner is an American singer and actress whose career has spanned more than 50 years. She has won numerous awards and her achievements in the rock music genre have led many to call her the "Queen of Rock 'n' Roll".Turner started out her music career with husband Ike Turner as a member of the...
. Tina's career was at a low ebb after she separated from her husband Ike
Ike Turner
Isaac Wister Turner was an American musician, bandleader, songwriter, arranger, talent scout, and record producer. In a career that lasted more than half a century, his repertoire included blues, soul, rock, and funk...
; 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 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
The Temptations
The Temptations is an American vocal group having achieved fame as one of the most successful acts to record for Motown Records. The group's repertoire has included, at various times during its five-decade career, R&B, doo-wop, funk, disco, soul, and adult contemporary music.Formed in Detroit,...
' "Ball of Confusion", recorded with Heaven 17
Heaven 17
Heaven 17 are an English synthpop band originating from Sheffield in the early 1980s. The trio comprises Martyn Ware , Ian Craig Marsh and Glenn Gregory...
alter-ego British Electric Foundation (BEF), and this was followed by a cover of Al Green
Al Green
Albert Greene , better known as Al Green, is an American gospel and soul music singer. He reached the peak of his popularity in the 1970s, with hit singles such as "You Oughta Be With Me", "I'm Still In Love With You", "Love and Happiness", and "Let's Stay Together"...
's "Let's Stay Together
Let's Stay Together (song)
"Let's Stay Together" is a song by Al Green on his 1972 album of the same name. Released as a single in 1971, the song reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and remained on the chart for 16 weeks and also topped Billboards R&B chart for nine weeks. It was ranked the 60th greatest song of all time...
", which was a hit in Europe. Her major breakthrough came with "What's Love Got to Do with It", a song written for her by Terry Britten
Terry Britten
Terry Britten is a prolific English singer-songwriter, who has written songs for Tina Turner and Sir Cliff Richard, Olivia Newton-John, Status Quo, Michael Jackson and many others.-Career:...
(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
Private Dancer (song)
"Private Dancer" is a hit song recorded by Tina Turner, and written by Mark Knopfler. It is the title track of Tina Turner's most successful album, Private Dancer. The song is viewed from the prospective of a high-class prostitute, and it reached number seven on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number...
" (penned by Mark Knopfler
Mark Knopfler
Mark Freuder Knopfler, OBE is a Scottish-born British guitarist, singer, songwriter, record producer and film score composer. He is best known as the lead guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter for the British rock band Dire Straits, which he co-founded in 1977...
) was a major international hit and the 1984 album Private Dancer
Private Dancer
Private Dancer is the fifth solo album by Tina Turner, released on Capitol Records in 1984, which became her breakthrough solo album. Turner's success with the album came after several challenging years of going solo after a public divorce from husband and performing partner Ike Turner. It is her...
became one of the biggest successes of the 1980s, earning Tina three Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
s 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
Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome
Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome is a 1985 Australian post-apocalyptic film directed by George Miller and George Ogilvie, written by Miller, Doug Mitchell and Terry Hayes, and starring Mel Gibson and Tina Turner. It is the third installment in the action movie Mad Max franchise...
. Turner's profile has endured and in 2000 her Twenty Four Seven Tour
Twenty Four Seven Tour
The Twenty Four Seven Tour is the eighth concert tour by American singer, Tina Turner. The tour initially promoted her final studio album, Twenty Four Seven, but later transformed into a greatest hits 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
Kurt Loder
Kurt Loder is an American film critic, author, columnist, and television personality. He served in the 1980s as editor at Rolling Stone, during a tenure that Reason later called "legendary". He has contributed to articles in Reason, Esquire, Details, New York, and Time. He has also made cameos on...
, What's Love Got to Do with It, was made into a hit film with Angela Bassett
Angela Bassett
Angela Evelyn Bassett is an American actress. She has become well known for her biographical film roles portraying real life women in African American culture, including singer Tina Turner in the motion picture What's Love Got to Do with It, as well as Betty Shabazz in the films Malcolm X and...
as Tina and Australian singer-actor James Reyne
James Reyne
James Reyne is an Australian rock musician and singer/songwriter both as a member of the iconic 1980s band Australian Crawl and solo work.. He is a successful singer/ songwriter and prolific artist...
(former lead singer of Australian Crawl
Australian Crawl
Australian Crawl were an Australian rock band founded by James Reyne , Brad Robinson , Paul Williams , Simon Binks and David Reyne in 1978. David Reyne soon left and was replaced by Bill McDonough...
) portraying Davies when actually it was lee kramer who should have been credited. He was also satirically portrayed by Alec Baldwin
Alec Baldwin
Alexander Rae "Alec" Baldwin III is an American actor who has appeared on film, stage, and television.Baldwin first gained recognition through television for his work in the soap opera Knots Landing in the role of Joshua Rush. He was a cast member for two seasons before his character was killed off...
in a Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live is a live American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title of NBC's Saturday Night.The show's sketches often parody contemporary American culture...
sketch when Tina guested on the program.
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 NationRhythm Nation
"Rhythm Nation" is the second single from American R&B and pop singer Janet Jackson's fourth studio album, Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 .-Background:...
" 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.
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
Believe (Cher song)
"Believe" is a song by American recording artist Cher. It was released on November 24, 1998 as the lead single from her twenty-third studio album of the same name. It was written by Brian Higgins, Stuart McLennen, Paul Barry, Steven Torch, Matthew Gray, and Timothy Powell and produced by Mark...
" 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.
Pink
Davies has enjoyed continuing success with American singer-songwriter PinkPink (singer)
Alecia Beth Moore , better known by her stage name Pink , is an American singer-songwriter, musician and actress....
. 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
Linda Perry
Linda Perry is an American rock musician, songwriter, and record producer. Once best known as the lead singer and primary songwriter of 4 Non Blondes, Perry has founded two record labels and has become a major songwriter and producer...
(4 Non Blondes
4 Non Blondes
4 Non Blondes was an American rock band from San Francisco, California, formed in 1989. The group was formed by bassist Christa Hillhouse, guitarist Shaunna Hall, drummer Wanda Day, and vocalist and guitarist Linda Perry. Prior to the release of their first album, Roger Rocha replaced Hall on...
) 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
Get the Party Started
"Get the Party Started" is a song performed by Pink, and was the first single from her second album, Missundaztood . It became an international hit and reached the top ten in many countries. The song was Pink's highest selling at that time...
" became a Top Five US hit. Pink's 2003 third album Try This
Try This
-Limited edition bonus DVD:# Pink's Pix – A photo gallery featuring pictures from the Try This photo shoot.# Album Lyrics – Lyrics that are printed in the album's booklet....
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
I'm Not Dead
I'm Not Dead is the fourth studio album by American recording artist Pink. The album was released on April 4, 2006 in the United States....
, 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
Sade
Davies started managing soul and R&B band, SadeSade (band)
Sade is a British smooth jazz band that formed in 1983, named for Nigerian lead singer Sade Adu. Their music features elements of R&B, soul, jazz, and soft rock....
,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
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—
Other artists
Veteran singer-songwriter Tony Joe WhiteTony Joe White
Tony Joe White is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist, best known for his 1969 hit "Polk Salad Annie"; "Rainy Night in Georgia", which he wrote but was first made popular by Brook Benton in 1970; and "Steamy Windows", a hit for Tina Turner in 1989...
and Australian entertainer James Reyne for many years. He has also been manager for Australian songstress Natalie Imbruglia
Natalie Imbruglia
Natalie Jane Imbruglia is an Australian singer-songwriter, model and actress. In the early 1990s, Imbruglia was known to audiences as Beth Brennan in the popular Australian soap Neighbours. Three years after leaving the programme, Imbruglia launched a singing career with the international hit,...
and Canadian-born singer Dalbello (aka Lisa Dal Bello).
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)].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 AssociationAustralasian Performing Right Association
The Australasian Performing Right Association is a copyright collective representing New Zealand and Australian composers, lyricists and music publishers. The association's head offices located in Sydney Australia, and it has branch offices in Auckland, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth...
(APRA) awards ceremony
APRA Awards
The APRA Music Awards are several award ceremonies run in Australia and New Zealand by Australasian Performing Right Association to recognise songwriting skills, sales and airplay performance by its members annually....
in Sydney Australia on 16 June 2008
APRA Awards of 2008
The Australasian Performing Right Association Awards of 2008 are a series of awards which include the APRA Music Awards, Classical Music Awards, and Screen Music Awards. The APRA Music Awards ceremony occurred on 16 June at the Sydney Hilton, they were presented by APRA and the Australasian...
. 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."
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 CockerJoe Cocker
John Robert "Joe" Cocker, OBE is an English rock and blues musician, composer and actor, who came to popularity in the 1960s, and is most known for his gritty voice, his idiosyncratic arm movements while performing, and his cover versions of popular songs, particularly those of The Beatles...
.
Music & Film Credits
Some music record / CD / DVD credits include (incomplete and draft list only):Pink
Pink Who Knew, Pt. 2 (Maxi Single) - 2007 - ManagementPink 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
Joe Cocker
Classic Cocker (CD Album) - ProducerGold 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
Janet Jackson
Live in Hawaii (CD Album) - Executive ProducerLive 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
Cher
Cher Live: The Farewell Tour - Executive ProducerVery Best of Cher (Special Edition) - Executive Producer
When the Money's Gone (CD/12" Single) Management
Tina Turner
2000 - Best of Tina Turner: Celebrate! (DVD) - Executive ProducerGreatest 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
Others
Tony Joe White - One Hot July - ProducerSherbet - 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