Dee Murray

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Lore & Background

Dee Murray joined the Spencer Davis Group in 1968, replacing original bassist Muff Winwood who had left the year before. He came in alongside drummer Dave Hynes, who was soon replaced by another future Elton John band member, Nigel Olsson. This line-up produced the album *Funky* in 1969, which was only released in the USA on Date Records, a sub-label of Columbia Records, in 1970. The group broke up on 19 July 1969, ending Murray's time with the band. After the split, Ray Fenwick—who wrote all the songs on *Funky*—released his 1971 solo album *Keep America Beautiful, Get a Haircut*, which also featured Murray and Olsson.

In Their Own Story

The studio was quiet except for the hum of amplifiers. Dee Murray plucked a low note on his bass, feeling the vibration through the floorboards. Across the room, Ray Fenwick nodded from behind the mixing board. They were cutting tracks for what would become *Funky*, the last Spencer Davis Group album. Murray locked in with Nigel Olsson's drums, building the groove that would carry Fenwick's songs. The sessions were tight, professional—a final burst of creativity before the band splintered on 19 July 1969. Murray didn't know it then, but those bass lines would be his only recorded legacy with the group.

Reader's Guide

Dee Murray's time with the Spencer Davis Group was short but specific. He joined in 1968 after Eddie Hardin and Pete York left to form Hardin & York. Murray played bass on the album *Funky* (released 1970 in the USA only), which featured Ray Fenwick on lead guitar and vocals, and Nigel Olsson on drums. The group broke up on 19 July 1969. After the split, Murray continued working with Fenwick and Olsson on Fenwick's 1971 solo album *Keep America Beautiful, Get a Haircut*. Murray's role in the band was strictly as bassist and backing vocalist, contributing to the rhythm section during the group's final year.

Did You Know?

• Dee Murray joined the Spencer Davis Group in 1968, replacing original bassist Muff Winwood.
• He played on the album *Funky*, which was only released in the USA on Date Records, a sub-label of Columbia Records, in 1970.
• Murray was one of two future Elton John band members in the Spencer Davis Group's final line-up, along with Nigel Olsson.
• The Spencer Davis Group broke up on 19 July 1969, ending Murray's tenure with the band.
• After the split, Murray appeared on Ray Fenwick's 1971 solo album *Keep America Beautiful, Get a Haircut*.