Longtime David Bowie drummer Dennis Davis has passed away following a battle with cancer. An accomplished jazz drummer before he joined up with Bowie, Dennis studied under greats like Max Roach and Elvin Jones. He first played with Bowie on Young Americans and was a crucial contributor to the classic Berlin trilogy Low, Heroes and Lodger.
Dennis served in Vietnam in the Navy and was able to collaborate with a slew of other great artists like Stevie Wonder, Iggy Pop, Roy Ayers, George Benson and Ronnie Foster. His death was confirmed by Tony Visconti, who posted a tribute to Dennis on his Facebook:
Dennis Davis has passed away. He was one of the most creative drummers I have ever worked with. He came into David Bowie’s life when we recorded some extra tracks for Young Americans and stayed with us through Scary Monsters and beyond. He was a disciplined jazz drummer who tore into Rock with a Jazz sensibility. Listen to the drum breaks on “Black Out” from the “Heroes” album. He had a conga drum as part of his set up and he made it sound like two musicians were playing drums and congas. By Scary Monsters he was playing parts that were unthinkable but they fit in so perfectly. His sense of humor was wonderful. As an ex member of the US Air Force he told us stories of seeing a crashed UFO first hand by accidentally walking through an unauthorized hanger. There will never be another drummer, human being and friend like Dennis, a magical man.
Rest in peace, Dennis.