Above Spencer Davis performing at the Marlin in Avalon on Santa Catalina Island, California.
At the youthful age of 73, legendary British rocker Spencer Davis is still on his game. Back in 1967, his hit single ‘Keep on Running’ knocked the Beatles out of the top slot on the British Hit Parade, paving the way for a leading role in the British invasion of America. It was one of the key events that changed the face of popular music.
These days, retirement is still out of the question. A trio of events is scheduled for next week on Santa Catalina Island, just an hour’s sail off the coast of Los Angeles, California, where Davis has been a long-time resident. At 4 p.m. on June 30 a symposium including Davis, and featuring luminaries like Peter Asher of Peter & Gordon, and ex-Monkee Mickey Dolenz, will occur at the Avalon Casino Theatre. It coincides with the launch of an exhibit entitled Gimme Some Lovin’ at the Catalina Island Museum, which draws from Davis’s extensive archive of career memorabilia.
The exhibition, curated by Executive Director Michael De Marsche, is runnin’ through August 22, a rare look at artifact and ephemera from the Swinging ’60s. The museum gift shop has a selection of T-shirts, books and music on the British Pop theme. On July 4, Spencer Davis and the Catalina All-Stars will play an outdoor concert from 8 to 10 p.m. against a backdrop of Independence Day fireworks.
If you can’t make the concert next week, you could always head over to Catalina on one of the frequent ferries which run from Long Beach Harbor another time. Most Friday nights Spencer can be found rockin’ the Marlin, a legendary Avalon night spot. If you can get close to him, see if he will give you one of the souvenir Spencer Davis Group guitar picks; he usually has one in his pocket for die-hard fans.
For more information, see www.catalinamuseum.org.—Stanley Moss, Travel Editor
Above The Marlin in Avalon on Santa Catalina Island.
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