Davis was born in Milwaukee and raised in Janesville, Wisconsin. He played on the first five albums released by the Steve Miller Band and contributed lead and background vocals and songwriting. Davis left the band to work with others, such as Ben Sidran, and to commence a solo career. Shortly after his departure from Miller, Davis joined David Lindley in a band supporting Terry Reid, appearing at the Isle of Wight Festival in 1970.[2][3]
Davis had a modest hit in 1972, "Buzzy Brown", written by fellow Wisconsin musician and Steve Miller Band co-founder James "Curley" Cooke. Davis continued an association with Steve Miller, contributing two songs, co-written with Miller, to the 1984 Steve Miller Band album, Italian X Rays.[4]
Davis died in 1988 from complications from diabetes at the age of 44.
^First compilation album of The Steve Miller Band, comprising material from the band's first five albums. "Your Saving Grace", originally credited solely to Davis on Your Saving Grace is credited on Anthology to Davis, Steve Miller and Ben Sidran. Credit reverts solely to Davis by the time of The Best of 1968-1973 (1990) and the Box Set (1994).