Cecil Louis Davis was born on July 16, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri. He began his musical career in the early 1950s, singing in local clubs and bands. In 1954, he joined the military, where he served for two years. After his discharge, he returned to St. Louis and continued singing.
In 1960, Davis signed with Vee-Jay Records and released his debut single, "That's My Baby". The song was a local hit, and it led to Davis' first tour. In 1962, he released his second single, "Do the New Continental". The song became a national hit, reaching number one on the R&B charts and number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Davis continued to record for Vee-Jay Records until the label went bankrupt in 1964. He then signed with RCA Records, where he released several more singles, including "The Thrill Is Gone" and "I'm So Glad I Fell In Love With You".
In the late 1960s, Davis left RCA Records and moved to Los Angeles, where he began working as a session singer. He also toured with various bands, including The Temptations and The Four Tops.
In the 1970s, Davis retired from the music industry and became a businessman. He also served as a member of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen from 1983 to 1987.
Davis was inducted into the St. Louis Walk of Fame in 2003. He is also a member of the R&B Hall of Fame.