James Davy

Born to Harriet Davy in early 1941, no-one would have ever believed James Davy would become one of the most soulfully introspective and meticulous pop artists of the 20th century. His father Patrick was tragically killed on 15 August 1940 on assignment in Liverpool during the Blitz, while Harriet was pregnant with James. He lived what some would call an ordinary life, being sent through rigorous schooling - the only Pluto to have excelled in education - and having an otherwise unremarkable childhood. James and Harriet, enduring a difficult relationship, lived in Sheffield with Harriet's parents until 1955, when they moved to Blackpool during its tourist boom.

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​In Blackpool, Davy's journey to music superstardom began. He enjoyed a part-time job as the operator of a music stand on the Golden Mile, which piqued his interest in music and artistic expression. In the back half of the 1950s, Davy taught himself to play guitar and bass, often incorporating it into his work at the Golden Mile.

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At just 18, Davy joined a local blues group called Goldie and the Lodestones. While the band never achieved widespread fame, it offered Davy valuable experience and a platform to explore his musical senses. In 1960, his life, and the future of the musical cultural landscape, would change forever. At an Irish wake, he met Cliff Martin, who was building his own act, Prince Edward and His Islands. Years later, the duo would admit they had no idea of the raw talent the other possessed, they merely wished to form an act together out of friendship and the surprising each with which they understood each other musically.

 

However, Davy's gift for musicality and songwriting would not remain hidden for much longer. His introspective nature and soulful approach quickly set him apart from his peers. The fruit of their collaboration ultimately became The Plutos, who require no introduction. Davy’s role in The Plutos was crucial; his enigmatic lyricism and dynamic melodies provided a counterpoint to Martin’s more playful lyrics and excursive instrumentation. Together, they created a sound that was ahead of its time, because it was for all time.

 

Davy’s songwriting process was notoriously difficult for all involved, including himself. He was known for taking months to finish lyrics, often waiting for what seemed to him to be the catalyzing stroke of inspiration. This meticulous approach, while aggravating to collaborators who were on a deadline (read: management), resulted in music that was one or both of richly detailed and profoundly moving.

 

Throughout the swells and valleys of the Plutos' fame in the 1960s, the usually-reserved Davy constantly found his attention divided between the tribulations of celebrity and the obligations of songwriting with intent. Notably, from 1963-1965, when Plutonoia was at its peak, the quality of Davy's music took a marginal step down from its prior amazing heights. Of course, after the Plutos' hiatus in 1965, his output would rebound with a vengeance.

 

Despite their growing success, Davy remained somewhat of an enigma to the public. His introspective nature and reluctance to embrace the spotlight meant that he often shunned the trappings of fame. He was known to be in the company of more subversive types - even more subversive than the most other rock stars in the 1960s! But just as he was gifted with the ability to be an individualist, like the other Plutos, so too was he gifted a disarming tongue, often using wittiness to get out of any bloviated "scandal" that may have been laid at his or the band's feet. He was a man that took inspiration from everyone and everything - or rather, inspiration was thrust upon him from everyone and everything.

 

As The Plutos continued to evolve into the end of the 1960s, Davy’s style remained so popularly and critically successful because of how true it remained to itself. His instrumentation was innovative, but familiar enough to keep the ears of more conservative listeners. His lyrics were enigmatic, but evocative enough to elicit responses from fans far and wide. And it is with this timeless style which he made uniquely his own, that he has rightfully earned his place as one of the most revered and influential figures in music history.