Holdings Alumni Association Alumni Jack W Davis Papers Finding Aid Title: Jack W Davis Papers, 1918-1982, 2006
ID: 26/20/197
Primary Creator: Davis, Jack W. (1945-)
Extent: 1.89 cubic feet
Date Acquired: 11/25/2014. More info below under Accruals.
Subjects: Alumni, Blues-rock music, Chief Illiniwek, Graphic Art, Phi Gamma Delta, Photographs, Popular Music--Illinois--Urbana-Champaign, Posters, REO Speedwagon, Rock Music, Rock musicians United States
Formats/Genres: Papers, Sheet music, Sound Recordings
Languages: English
Consists of photographs, production art, flyers, posters, and a personal journal documenting the careers of Jack W. Davis (BFA Graphic Design, 1969) as a musician and graphic artist in Champaign, Illinois. Includes graphic art produced for local talent agencies Blytham Limited, Irving Azoff and Associates, and Harry Washburn Management. Of note are concert posters for Jethro Tull, REO Speedwagon, and Black Sabbath.
Jack Warren Davis earned a BFA in Graphic Design from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1969. Soon after, Davis established himself as a graphic designer in Champaign, creating graphics and logos for local businesses, bands, and University units, notably creating the Chief Illiniwek logo for the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics in 1980.
During and after his undergraduate studies, Davis played bass guitar with local rock bands including Lothar and the Handpeople, the W.C. Fields, the Ice Blue Secret, and Uncle Otto's General Store. One of his most recognizable bands, Lothar and the Hand People, formed in 1965 while Davis was temporarilly living in Orchard Downs after his appartment at the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity house was destroyed in a fire. Davis and his roomate, Bill Geist, named the band after a character in the comic Mandrake the Magician. The group initially formed as a cover band that played at various fraternity and sorority parties and consisted of Bill Fiorio (lead guitar), Rick Bach (rhythm guitar), Steve Kniss (rhythm guitar), Lee Neher (vocals), Frank Eitler (percussion), and Davis (left-handed bass). During a rush event in 1965, Davis spoke with a highscool friend and prospective initiate, Tom Flye, who eventually formed his own band in Denver, Colorado, which was also called Lothar and the Hand People. Davis's Band would stay active through 1967.
In addition to his musical interests, Davis also created graphics for his own bands and for bands like REO Speedwagon and Jethro Tull. His skill as a graphic designer led him to design for several local talent agencies, including: Blytham Limited, Irving Azoff and Associates, and Harry Washburn Management.
Alumni
Blues-rock music
Chief Illiniwek
Graphic Art
Phi Gamma Delta
Photographs
Popular Music--Illinois--Urbana-Champaign
Posters
REO Speedwagon
Rock Music
Rock musicians United States
Repository: The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music
Accruals: Two photographs acquired July 22, 2024. 45rpm discs donated to the Center April 18, 2025.
Acquisition Source: Jack W. Davis
Acquisition Method: Gift
Related Materials: See also Digital Library image ID 0003228
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