Upon the death of label founder Bert Berns, Bang Records was taken over by Ilene Berns, Bert’s widow. One of her first signings for the successful label was a singer named Paul Davis. Paul released a cover of The Jarmels’ 1961 hit A Little Bit of Soap. Paul’s version hit Number 52 on the Billboard charts. He released a few more albums to minimal success. Singer Juice Newton had a bigger hit with Paul’s tune Ride ’em Cowboy.
In 1978, Paul hit gold with I Go Crazy. The song went to Number 7 on the charts and spend 40 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, a record at the time. His follow-ups, Sweet Life and Do Right were popular as well, although the struggling Bang Records label folded.
Paul was signed by Arista Records and went on to release Cool Night and 65 Love Affair, both big hits and regular entries in the ‘Yacht Rock” genre.
Paul eventually grew tried of industry politic and called it a career in 1983. He wrote the country hit Meet Me in Montana, which Dan Seals and Marie Osmond took to the top of the Country Music charts.
In 1986, Paul was shot in the stomach during a hold-up. He survived the incident.
He married singer Pamela Davis and the couple had a son who, unfortunately suffered from developmental issues. Pamela retired from show business to care for their child exclusively. She passed away in 2017.
Paul suffered a fatal heart attack in 2008, just one day after his 60th birthday. Paul’s songs are still staples on classic rock radio stations.