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Palm Desert, CA - - Danny Davis, 87, died, June 22 in Palm Desert, California. A

native of Philadelphia, Mr. Davis began his show biz career working in the New

York Catskills Mountains resorts aka “The Borscht Belt” where he became known

as a “Porchlight Comic,” becoming the protege of Milton Berle. Rather than

developing a career as a comic, Danny decided to pursue a career in the recording

industry, starting out in artist development and artist promotion, before rising to

Vice President of Promotion at several record labels.

In the early days of his music biz career he worked for singer Eddie Fisher, basing

in Philadelphia. He then joined Decca Records in New York as Director of

Promotion and a few years later moved to California where he joined legendary

record producer Phil Spector and his Philles Records as VP of Promotion.

Moving on in his career, Danny became associated with Motown Records as

Senior Vice President of Promotion, where he oversaw promotion of recorded

music and personal appearances for such performers as Stevie Wonder, Diana

Ross, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Smokey Robinson and many, many

others.  After Motown, Danny worked as Vice President of Promotion at Neil

Bogart's Casablanca Records, boosting the careers of such artists as Donna

Summer (MacArthur Park), Village People (Y.M.C.A) and the rock act, Kiss.

For a time Danny also served as Vice President of Promotion with Columbia's

Screen Gems Music, working with President Lester Sill.

Danny Davis attended Temple University in Pennsylvania. He leaves his wife,

Marie, son Danny and his wife, Jill, and two grandchildren.

A memorial service is planned for July 16 in Palm Desert, CA.

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