Born:
Ioannis (John) Alexandros Veliotes on December 28, 1921, in Vallejo, CA; died January 17, 2012, Altadena, CA
Genres:
Instruments:
Vocals, guitar, drums, piano, vibraphone
Contributions to music:
- The "Godfather of R&B"
- The prime mover in the West Coast's move from blues to R&B
- An incredibly influential producer, songwriter, performer and bandleader
- Discovered Little Richard, Etta James, Jackie Wilson, Hank Ballard, Little Willie John, Sugar Pie DeSanto, The Robins (later the Coasters), Little Esther Phillips, and Big Jay McNeely
- A constant presence on the early-'50s R&B charts
- Wrote and/or produced hits for Big Mama Thornton, Etta James, and Gladys Knight, among others
- Had a major rock and roll smash with his own "Willie and the Hand Jive"
- Active in politics and the '60s civil-rights movement
- Father of guitar legend Shuggie Otis
Early years:
The son of Greek immigrants, Johnny was raised in a predominately black section of Berkeley, where his parents ran a grocery store; being surrounded by African-Americans his whole life, and having olive skin, he decided to live his life as a black man, or as he put it, "black by persuasion." This of course extended to the jazz and swing he heard growing up, but he never touched an instrument until the age of 20, when he witnessed a Count Basie show and immediately took up the drums. After playing with several local swing bands, most notably Lloyd Hunter's Serenaders, Nat King Cole suggested he move to Los Angeles, where he fell in with Harland Leonard's Rockets. By 1945 he had made enough of a name to start his own band.
Success:
A true renaissance man and natural entrepreneur, Otis threw himself into his new profession wholeheartedly -- not only did he score a #1 R&B hit with his reworking of the jazz standard "Harlem Nocturne," he opened up his own club in L.A., the Barrelhouse, discovered young talents all over the world of R&B and jazz, worked as a DJ in Southern California, hit the road with his own smash musical revue, started a label called Dig, and hosted a TV show in Los Angeles for the better part of a decade. In between all this he scored an impressive number of Top 10 R&B hits, usually with vocals by his proteges Little Esther Williams and Mel Walker. He also co-wrote and produced several important hits of the genre, including Etta James' breakout hit, "Roll With Me Henry," and Big Mama Thornton's original version of "Hound Dog." It was all capped off with a song that was supposed to be a parody of the "rock and roll" craze, a number called "Willie and the Hand Jive" which he sung himself and which, ironically, moved one and a half million copies in 1958.
Later years:
Ironically, his biggest hit was also his last, but Otis never stopped, recording and working as a session man on and off through the '60s and dabbling in politics, most notably as Deputy Chief of Staff for Rep. Mervyn M. Dymally. He also wrote a book about the race riots popping up across the country called Listen to the Lambs. In the '70s he became the pastor of a local church, using his stage name to gather crowds and promote community outreach. In the '90s he became passionate about organic farming, and opened a grocery store/blues club where he sold his own brand of fresh-squeezed apple juice. He remained active in the local community through the mid-2000s, hosting a popular radio show on KPFA until ill health forced him to quit. He died peacefully in Los Angeles at the age of 90, just three days before his main protege, Etta James.
Johnny Otis facts and trivia:
- Had 15 Top 10 R&B hits between 1950 and 1952, including three number ones
- Etta James once referred to Otis as "my guru"
- Also penned The Fiesta's "So Fine" and Gladys Knight and the Pips' "Every Beat of My Heart"
- Otis played piano on Johnny Ace's "Pledging My Love" and drums on Charles Brown's "Driftin' Blues"
- Also played on sides by Lester Young and Johnny "Guitar" Watson, as well as backing the Ink Spots live with his band
- Published three books in the '90s, including an autobiography, a selection of his own paintings and sculptures, and a cookbook
- The University of Indiana has archived as many of his radio and TV shows as possible, considering them invaluable to the history of African-American music
- His younger brother Nicholas served as US Ambassador to Jordan and Egypt
Johnny Otis awards and honors:
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1994)
- Rhythm and Blues Foundation Pioneer Award (1994)
- Blues Foundation Hall of Fame (2000)
Johnny Otis hit singles and albums:
#1 hits:
R&B:
Pop:
R&B:
- "Double Crossing Blues" (1950)
- "Mistrustin' Blues" (1950)
- "Cupid Boogie" (1950)
Pop:
- "Willie and the Hand Jive" (1958)
- "That's Your Last Boogie" (1948)
- "Misery" (1950)
- "Cry Baby" (1950)
- "Deceivin' Blues" (1950)
- "Dreamin' Blues" (1950)
- "Wedding Boogie" (1950)
- "Far Away Blues (Xmas Blues)" (1950)
- "Rockin' Blues" (1950)
- "Gee Baby" (1951)
- "Mambo Boogie" (1951)
- "All Nite Long" (1951)
- "Sunset To Dawn" (1952)
- "Call Operator 210" (1952)
- "Willie and the Hand Jive" (1958)
Film and TV appearances: "The Johnny Otis Show" (1954), Juke Box Rhythm (1959), Play Misty for Me (1971), Billy Jack (1971)
Covered by: Eric Clapton, Ry Cooder, Johnny Rivers, The Grateful Dead, George Thorogood, Levon Helm, The Tremeloes, The Strangeloves, The Creation, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Sandy Nelson, Amos Garrett, Ducks Deluxe
