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Roger Davies is an Australian born business manager and music producer with a long career in the music industry. His career has taken him from working as a roadie in Australia in the early 1970s to managing some of the most successful female pop/rock performers in the world including Olivia Newton-John, Tina Turner, Cher, Janet Jackson, Sade and Pink.

Contents 1 Beginnings in Australia 1.1 Sherbet 2 Move Overseas 2.1 Olivia Newton-John 2.2 Tina Turner 2.3 Janet Jackson 2.4 Cher 2.5 Pink 2.6 Other Artists 3 Awards 3.1 2004 Music Managers Awards 3.2 2008 APRA Awards 4 Currently 5 Music & Film Credits 5.1 Pink 5.2 Joe Cocker 5.3 Janet Jackson 5.4 Cher 5.5 Tina Turner 5.6 Others 6 Notes 7 References / External Links

[edit] Beginnings in Australia

Davies was born in Melbourne Australia in 1952. After dropping out of university he began working for the Consolidated Rock booking agency (the precursor to the present day Premier/Harbour mega-agencies). He worked as a roadie and then road manager for cult Australian band Company Caine, and between gigs took work in the agency.

[edit] Sherbet

In 1970 Davies spotted pop/rock band Sherbet during a residency at a Sydney discotheque. He took over Sherbet's management, and helped them become a national sensation. For most of the 1970s Sherbet was one of Australia's most popular and successful groups, scoring numerous hit singles and albums, winning a string of awards and becoming the first local act to sell a million dollars worth of records in Australia. They established their own label, Razzle Records, and promoted their own national tours with their own lightshow and sound system. This early success provided Davies with the experience that would eventually take him to the top in his chosen field.

[edit] Move Overseas

Davies has been based in the United States and England since the late 1970s. He took Sherbet overseas following their breakthrough international success of their hit single "Howzat!" (1976). They relocated to the USA in the late 1970s but were unable to break into the US music scene and eventually returned to Australia. By the time Sherbet split in 1981, Davies had ended his relationship with Shernet and moved to Los Angeles, where he began working for Lee Kramer, who was then managing (and was romantically involved with) expatriate Australian singer Olivia Newton-John. One of Davies' first clients in the USA was former Steve & The Board front man Steve Kipner, who wrote the song "Physical".

[edit] Olivia Newton-John

Kipner wrote "Physical" for Tina Turner but she thought it "too obvious" and turned it down^[1]. When Kipner played Davies the demo of "Let's Get Physical" in his office it was overheard by Lee Kramer, who was in the next-door office. Kramer originally wanted the song to help promote one of his other clients, Mr Universe but played it for Olivia, who recorded it herself^[2]. Although Olivia panicked after it was recorded, thinking the song was too suggestive^[2], "Physical" proved to be an international smash hit and it stayed at the top of the USA charts for ten weeks^[3]. Davies took over Olivia's management following her split Lee Kramer, and Davies played an important part in the massive success Olivia enjoyed in the early 1980s, including her multi-million-selling albums Physical and Soul Kiss.

[edit] Tina Turner

In 1979 Davies became the manager of singer Tina Turner. Lee Kramer signed Tina to a management agreement Roger wanted nothing to do with it and thought it was a bad idea. Tina's career was at a low ebb after she separated from her husband Ike; she was virtually broke and without a record contract. Davies guided Tina's incredible comeback, and over a four-year period rebuilt Turner's career, and helped her to launch her solo career.

By the 1970s Ike Turner had become heavily addicted to drugs and abused his wife. After years of conflict, Tina had walked out of her disastrous marriage but she left the partnership with nothing and over the next few years struggled to survive as a solo artist. By 1979 she was without a record contract for the first time in her career. She was supporting herself by gigging on the hotel and club circuit but although her talent was undiminished, she realised that she needed new songs, new management and a new image if she was going to reach a wider audience and make it as a solo performer.

In 1979 Davies supposedly went to see Tina live for the first time at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco and it was a turning point for both of them. Roger met Tina after the show and saw that she was still hungry for success: "She he said 'I want to get out of here and play rock venues.'". Roger & Tina outsmarted Kramer on commissions that were due. Kramer was pivotal in her success and received $4000 whilst they went on to make millions. After Kramer and Olivia split, Tina opted to take Davies on as her manager^[1] and he set to work finding her a new contract, although the next couple of years proved to be a testing time. To support herself, Tina worked on the club circuit, while Davies called in every favor owed to him to put together a comeback. Lee Kramer is available for comment. kramer.lee@gmail.com

Tina's comeback began in UK with a dynamic cover of The Temptations' "Ball of Confusion", recorded with Heaven 17 alter-ego British Electric Foundation (BEF), and this was followed by a cover of Al Green's "Let's Stay Together", which was a hit in Europe^[1]. Her major breakthrough came with "What's Love Got To Do With It", a song written for her by Terry Britten (ex The Twilights), although Tina disliked the song and originally turned it down. Despite her reservations, it became a huge success, providing her with her first US #1 hit in 25 years. The single "Private Dancer" (penned by Mark Knopfler) was major international hit and the 1984 album "Private Dancer" album became one of the biggest successes of the 1980s, earning Tina three Grammy awards in 1985, and re-establishing her as one of the world's top rock performers. On the day the single hit #1 in the USA Tina was offered the role of "Aunty Entity" in the Australian film Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome. Turner's profile has endured and in 2000 her Twenty Four Seven Tour was also the highest grossing US tour of the year.

Davies notoriety in the music business has led to him becoming probably the only Australian rock manager ever to be portrayed in American TV and film. In 1993 biography of Tina Turner by Kurt Loder, What's Love Got To Do With It, was made into a hit film with Angela Bassett as Tina and Australian singer-actor James Reyne (former lead singer of Australian Crawl) portraying Davies. He was also satirically portrayed by Alec Baldwin in a Saturday Night Live sketch when Tina guested on the program.

[edit] Janet Jackson

Davies was also instrumental in the meteoric rise to fame of Janet Jackson in 1990, and her chart and touring dominance throughout that decade. He oversaw the recording of the single "Rhythm Nation" and Janet's subsequent worldwide tour, which was the biggest debut tour ever by an artist.

[edit] Cher

Pop icon Cher has the unique distinction of being the only female performer to have #1 hits in four successive decades. Davies began working with Cher in the late 1990s, around the time of her massive international smash hit "Believe" in 1999. He oversaw her hugely successful 1999 world tour, and her record-breaking The Farewell Tour in 2003 which made Cher the highest-grossing female touring artist in the world that year, taking a massive US$145 million.

[edit] Pink

Davies has enjoyed continuing success with American singer-songwriter Pink. He took over her management from her second album, 2001's Missundaztood. Pink was unhappy with her direction and reportedly had little control over her first album, so she enlisted the help of singer-songwriter Linda Perry (4 Non Blondes) for her next album personal second album. Davies had been impressed enough with Pink's presence in her first video to review her debut album (which he reportedly did not like), but when he heard some of the early songs Pink wrote with Perry he was intrigued:

"She not only sang along to the tracks, but she acted them out." "She said, 'This song is going to be the first single, and this is how the video should be.' By then I knew I wanted to manage her. I told her that she was taking a huge risk by changing her sound, but she knew that. She was just fearless."

Davies and Pink's determination paid off—her second album proved a tremendous hit, with worldwide sales of over 16 million, winning over critics and fans alike and earning Pink two Grammy nominations, and the single "Get the Party Started" became a Top Five US hit. Pink's 2003 third album Try This sold also over 3 million copies worldwide, and earned Pink her second Grammy Award for her song "Trouble".

Her fourth album, 2006's I'm Not Dead, sold over 6 million copies worldwide, and its tour of the same name smashed attendance records in Australia and Europe for a solo female artist. On her headlining tour of Australia in 2007 Pink's I'm Not Dead Tour smashed all records for an arena tour, and by mid-2007 her I'm Not Dead Album had sold over 500,000 copies in Australia.

[edit] Other Artists

Davies also managed soul chanteuse Sade, veteran singer-songwriterTony Joe White and Australian entertainer James Reyne for many years. He has also been manager for Australian songstress Natalie Imbruglia and Canadian-born singer Dalbello (aka Lisa Dal Bello).

[edit] Awards

[edit] 2004 Music Managers Awards

In 2004 Davies was awarded the Lifetime Membership Award at the 2004 MMF Music Managers Awards by the MMF [Music Managers Forum (Aust)].

[edit] 2008 APRA Awards

Davies was recently honoured by the Australian music industry. Famed within the music industry for his incredible career, he was awarded one of Australian music's highest accolades - the Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Music. The award was presented at the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) awards ceremony in Sydney Australia on Monday, June 16. CEO of APRA/AMCOS, Brett Cottle, also said:

"Roger Davies' gift to the artists he represents is his incomparable drive, passion and determined belief in their talent. That's an unbeatable combination that has brought great artists to the public's attention. It's a pleasure to recognize his contribution to the cause of music creators."

Pink pre-recorded a message of congratulations to Davies for the ceremony, in which she said:

"I wouldn't be where I was without you -- your reputation is impeccable, the respect that you've garnered over the years is amazing and well deserved."

[edit] Currently

Roger Davies and his company, Roger Davies Worldwide Management / RD Worldwide Management / RDWM, currently manages artists such as Pink, Cher, Sade, and Joe Cocker. He also often works in management partnership with Craig Logan, a former member of UK pop band Bros.

Davies currently resides in London with his wife and two children^[4]

[edit] Music & Film Credits

Some music record / CD / DVD credits include (incomplete and draft list only):

[edit] Pink

Pink Who Knew, Pt. 2 (Maxi Single) - 2007 - Management

Pink Box - (3 x CD Album set with Try This DVD) - Executive Producer

Pink: Live from Wembley Arena - London, England (DVD) - 2007 - Executive Producer

I'm Not Dead (Platinum) (CD Album) - 2006 - Executive Producer

Live in Europe (DVD) - 2004 - Executive Producer

Trouble (Australia) Executive - Producer

Trouble (UK Single) Executive - Producer

Try This (Bonus Tracks) - Executive Producer

Try This (CD Album) - Executive Producer

Last to Know (Holland CD) - Management

Last to Know (2 Track Single - Club Edit) - Management

[edit] Joe Cocker

Classic Cocker (CD Album) - Producer

Gold Executive - Producer

Heroes & Friends Executive - Producer

Heroes & Friends - Management

Heart & Soul (US Bonus Track) - Executive Producer

Heart & Soul - Executive Producer

Live: Across from Midnight Tour - Executive Producer

Ultimate Collection - Executive Producer

Ultimate Collection - Producer

Ultimate Collection 1968-2003 - Executive Producer

Ultimate Collection 1968-2003 - Producer

Greatest Love Songs - Producer

Super Hits - Producer

Joe Cocker (Mushroom) - Producer

Greatest Hits (EMI) - Management / Producer

Across from Midnight - Executive Producer

Have a Little Faith - Producer

Joe Cocker - Best of

Joe Cocker (Capitol) - Producer

Best of Joe Cocker (Capitol Import) - Executive Producer

[edit] Janet Jackson

Live in Hawaii (CD Album) - Executive Producer

Live in Hawaii - Executive Producer

Janet Jackson: Janet - Live in Hawaii (DVD) - 2002 - Executive Producer

Velvet Rope Tour/Live In Hawaii - Executive Producer

Just a Little While (2 Tracks) - Management

[edit] Cher

Cher Live: The Farewell Tour Executive - Producer

Very Best of Cher (Special Edition) - Executive Producer

When the Money's Gone (CD/12" Single) Management

[edit] Tina Turner

2000 - Best of Tina Turner: Celebrate! (DVD) - Executive Producer

Greatest Hits (Cema) - Executive Producer

Greatest Hits (Cema) - Producer

What's Love Got to Do with It - Executive Producer

What's Love Got to Do with It - Producer

All the Best: The Hits - Executive Producer

All the Best: The Hits - Management

Live in Amsterdam/One Last Time - Executive Producer

All the Best: The Hits - Producer

All the Best: The Live Collection (DVD) - Executive Producer

All the Best: The Live Collection (DVD) - Management

All the Best - Executive Producer

All the Best - Producer

Simply the Best (CD & DVD) - Arranger / Executive Producer

Celebrate: The Best of Tina Turner (Video/DVD) - Executive Producer

Twenty Four Seven Executive - Producer

Wildest Dreams (Bonus CD) - Executive Producer

Live in Amsterdam: Wildest Dreams Tour - Executive Producer

Wildest Dreams - Management

Collected Recordings - Sixties to Nineties - Producer

Foreign Affair - Arranger

Foreign Affair - Producer

What's Love Got to Do with It (Bonus Tracks) - Executive Producer

Break Every Rule - Director

Wildest Dreams - Executive Producer

[edit] Others

Tony Joe White - One Hot July - Producer

Sherbet - Slipstream - Direction

Sherbet - On with the Show Coordination Sherbet Slipstream - Management

Tony Joe White - Lake Placid Blues - Management

Tony Joe White - Lake Placid Blues - Producer

Mick Jagger - Primitive Cool Creative - Consultant

Sade - Remix Deluxe - Management

Tony Joe White - Best of Tony Joe White - Management

John Travolta - Two of a Kind - Production Coordination

Sherbet - Collection Cover - Design

Hobo Hobo - Vocals

Various Artists - 101 80's - Hits Producer

Various Artists - I Luv Mum: For the Best Mum in the World Ever (2007) - Producer

Various Artists - Let's Hear It for the Girls - Producer

Various Artists - I Luv Mum: For the Best Mum in the World Ever - Producer

Various Artists - Housework Songs - Producer

Various Artists - Best of 1990-2000 - Producer

Various Artists - Brilliant! The Global Dance Music Experience, Vol. 2 - Producer

Various Artists - Diana, Princess of Wales: Tribute - Executive Producer

Movie Soundtrack - Blown Away - Producer

Various Artists - Luv Collection: Movie Luv - Producer

Various Artists - Two Rooms: Celebrating the Songs of Elton John & Bernie Taupin - Producer

Various Artists - Greatest Voices - Executive Producer

[edit] Notes

1. ^ ^{a b c} "How we met: Roger Davies and Tina Turner", The Independent (London), 9 July 2000; interviews by Pierre Perrone (accessed 25 April 2009)
2. ^ ^{a b} Songwriter Universe - Steve Kipner
3. ^ Answers.com - Steve Kipner
4. ^ "How we met: Roger Davies & Tina Turner", The Independent, 9 June 2000, accessed 25 April 2009

[edit] References / External Links

• TheMusic - Article - "APRA Lauds Roger Davies" - June 2008 -http://www.themusic.com.au/imm_display.php?s=christie&id=367&d=2008-06-10

• APRA Awards - June 2008 - "Music Man Roger Davies to Receive Prestigious APRA Honour" - http://www.apra.com.au/awards/music/media_releases/080610_Ted-Albert-Award.asp

• Undercover Article - June 2008 - "APRA To Honour Roger Davies" - http://www.undercover.com.au/News-Story.aspx?id=5160

• Sydney Morning Herald - Article - June 2008 - http://www.smh.com.au/news/music/shannon-nolls-us-push-gets-a-big-boost/2008/06/08/1212863446203.html

• MMF [Music Managers Forum (Aust)] - Article - "Who Won the 2004 MMF Management Awards" - http://www.mmfaustralia.com.au/index.php?page=Full+News+Article&mmf_article_id=736

• Sydney Morning Herald - Article - "Pink Inc" - November 2003 - http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/11/21/1069027330570.html

• International Tina Turner Fanclub - "Tina: Biography" - http://www.tinaturnerfanclub.eu/biography.html

• The (London) Independent - "How We Met Roger Davies and Tina Turner: I Said Roger I'm Coming." - July 2000 - http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20000709/ai_n14327813

• The (London) Independent - "Market Leaders Pick Their Market Leader: Whose the Manager On Top Of." - December 1999 - http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_19991222/ai_n14271812

• 12am Article - "Tony White - DJ Biography" - http://www.12am.com.au/?id=200

• Milesago Article - "Roger Davies" - http://www.milesago.com/Industry/davies-roger.htm

• Milesago Article - "Steve & The Board / Steve Kipner" - http://www.milesago.com/Artists/steveboard.htm

• Howlspace Article - "Sherbet" http://www.howlspace.com.au/en3/sherbert/sherbert.htm