Veteran British rocker Spencer Davis – the name but not the voice behind such hit songs as Keep on Running and Gimme Some Lovin' – has died in hospital while being treated for pneumonia.

The Spencer Davis Group performed since the 60s, and whil Spencer Davis had his name on the marquee, the band's biggest hits were sung by Steve Winwood.

When asked in 1997 why the group was named after Spencer but why Spencer didn't sing, bandmember Muff Winwood told Mojo because “Spencer was the only one who enjoyed doing interviews, so I pointed out that if we called it the Spencer Davis Group, the rest of us could stay in bed and let him do them”.

Spencer played music ever since he was a child and before forming Spencer Davis Group, played in bands with Bill Wyman (who went on to join Rolling Stones) and Christine McVie of Fleetwood Mac fame.

Steve Winwood, who sang the top 10 hits Keep on Running, Somebody Help Me, I’m A Man and Gimme Some Lovin’ in 1967, also went on to have a successful solo career.

Davis played with the group until 1969, then reformed it from 1973.

He died aged 81.

Vale Spencer Davis.