Rick Davis

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Rick Davis, in full Richard Davis, is an American musician from Detroit, born in 1952. He is regarded as one of the pioneers of techno, as the partner of Juan Atkins in the duo Cybotron. Atkins and Davis began working together in 1981. They made electronic music with synthesizers and drum machines, at a time when that hardly existed in Detroit yet.

Music and breakthrough

In 1981 Cybotron released the single Alleys of Your Mind. Later recordings such as Clear and Techno City followed, and the duo gave its own style the name techno. The music combined the cool sounds of German electronic music with funk and with lyrics about a mechanical future. Davis concentrated mainly on the rougher, more rock-oriented side, while Atkins increasingly wanted to move towards tight electronics. In the end they went their separate ways.

Influence

Although Cybotron was active only briefly, it became a model for the young makers around Atkins in Detroit, among them Derrick May and Kevin Saunderson. In School of Rock, Davis is mentioned as the man with whom Atkins started Cybotron in 1981, the beginning of Detroit techno.

Listening

In School of Rock

The chapters, maps and magazine stories of School of Rock are currently available in Dutch only.

• Mixtape 8: Electronic Music^NL Reader