Dee Murray
The bassist who anchored the Spencer Davis Group's final line-up.
Dee Murray played bass for the Spencer Davis Group in 1968–1969. He was one of two future Elton John band members who joined the group in its final year, replacing Eddie Hardin and Pete York after they left to form the duo Hardin & York. Murray's tenure was brief but part of the band's last studio album before splintering.
Quick Facts
- Affiliation
- Spencer Davis Group
- First appears
- 1968
Lore & Background
Dee Murray joined the Spencer Davis Group in 1968, replacing original bassist Muff Winwood who had left the year before. He came in alongside drummer Dave Hynes, who was soon replaced by another future Elton John band member, Nigel Olsson. This line-up produced the album Funky in 1969, which was only released in the USA on Date Records, a sub-label of Columbia Records, in 1970. The group broke up on 19 July 1969, ending Murray's time with the band. After the split, Ray Fenwick—who wrote all the songs on Funky—released his 1971 solo album Keep America Beautiful, Get a Haircut, which also featured Murray and Olsson.
Reader's Guide
Dee Murray's time with the Spencer Davis Group was short but specific. He joined in 1968 after Eddie Hardin and Pete York left to form Hardin & York. Murray played bass on the album Funky (released 1970 in the USA only), which featured Ray Fenwick on lead guitar and vocals, and Nigel Olsson on drums. The group broke up on 19 July 1969. After the split, Murray continued working with Fenwick and Olsson on Fenwick's 1971 solo album Keep America Beautiful, Get a Haircut. Murray's role in the band was strictly as bassist and backing vocalist, contributing to the rhythm section during the group's final year.
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