EUNICE DAVIS

 

Eunice Emile Davis, born Eunice Wright (February 23†, 1920 – July 13, 1999) was an American rhythm and blues and jump blues singer and lyricist.

Davis moved with her family to Glassboro, New Jersey when she was three years old. She first worked as a dishwasher, then allegedly as a cook.  Her career began when she was discovered at an amateur competition at New York's Apollo Theater and had the opportunity to record for the local label Derby Records, where she was accompanied by the Freddie Mitchell Band. In 1952 the songs "Rock Little Daddy"/"Go to Work Pretty Daddy" were created, for Coral Records "Daddy Work". "Rock Little Daddy", which was based on "Rock Little Baby" by Cecil Gant and is considered one of the first titles of rock 'n' roll, became a regional hit. In 1953 she was signed to Atlantic Records ("My Beat Is 125th Street"). For King Records, she also wrote lyrics in a team with Lowman "El" Pauling, which were interpreted by The Checkers and The Blue Dots. She recorded "Get Your Enjoys" for King sub-label DeLuxe Records in 1955 and "Let's Have a Party" for Grant Records. On performances in the same year she was accompanied by Horace Silver, Gerry Mulligan and Oscar Pettiford. Since the commercial success failed to materialize, she largely withdrew from the music business. She has occasionally performed with Loumell Morgan in jazz & lyric programs.

In 1978, Davis moved to Phoenix, where she entered into a liaison with Louisiana Red. In 1980 she recorded the album Sings the Classic Blues (of Victoria Spivey, Memphis Minnie and Eunice Davis) (L+R Records) in New York (with Louisiana Red, Clem Moorman and Washboard Doc). In the same year she toured Germany with the American Folk Blues Festival (album American Folk Blues Festival '80). 

In 1984, she moved to Southern California with her third husband, Merv Fusch, where she founded the Davis Fusch Graphics Company and wrote poetry and songs.