Legendary soul singer Jesse Davis passed away on August 26 after a battle
with Alzheimer’s. Davis had been singing professionally for over 60 years, a
staple of San Diego’s lounges and nightspots. Already a seasoned touring
performer at the time, Davis first came to prominence in the mid-1960s
with a stint at the Sands Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, recommended by
none other than Frank Sinatra, who attended his audition.
It was just one of numerous career highlights during the 1960’s and 1970’s
that included releasing several highly collectible singles, film appearances
with canine film star Benji, a tour of Australia that netted him network TV
appearances and much more.
Davis had a resurgence of international acclaim during the late 1990s when
his classic 1967 soul single, “Gonna Hang On In There Girl,” became popular
on the British Northern Soul dance circuit. In 2010 the single was reissued by
UK label Kent Records.
More recently Davis performed at the Museum of Making Music in 2017 and
received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2022 San Diego Music
Awards, with a documentary, Jesse Davis-My Life In Song, released later
that year.
Davis was a true gentleman, who loved performing more than just about
anything other than family. His passing is a huge loss for the San Diego
music community and beyond. Our condolences to his friends, fans, and
family.
