Richie Davis musician

Richard Peter Davis, born on December 30, 1957, in Chicago, Illinois, is an American guitarist and bandleader. He is the son of actor Nathan Davis, brother of director Andrew Davis, and a co-founder of the rhythm and blues band the Chicago Catz.

Richie grew up in Chicago's Jeffrey Manor neighborhood, surrounded by politically oriented theater influences from his parents' involvement in The Chicago Repertory Group during the 1930s. As a child, he was exposed to various music genres through radio stations and TV shows, with significant early influences including B.B. King's album and Jimi Hendrix’s "Are You Experienced."

The neighborhood underwent drastic racial changes due to redlining, transitioning from predominantly white to black. This shift influenced Richie’s musical exploration with diverse local talent, blending pop, funk, and R&B. He was initially self-taught but later pursued formal music education in Los Angeles.

Richie's career includes acting roles, notably as Richie Bloom in the 1978 film "Stony Island," directed by his brother Andrew. He also contributed to soundtracks like "Under Siege" and "The Guardian," where he performed with the Chicago Catz. His session work spans over three decades, collaborating with artists such as Mariah Carey and Brian Wilson.

Additionally, Richie co-authored the book "Race: What Blacks and Whites Think and Feel About the American Obsession" with Studs Terkel in 1992.