Johnny Otis wouldve been 93. Vallejo-born R&B singer/songwriter/musician, minister and entrepreneur. Began as a drummer in high school, then played in big bands, early-1940s. Own band in 1945, noted for one of the first hit versions of Harlem Nocturne. Discovered, among others, Wynonie Harris, Charles Brown, Little Esther Phillips, Big Jay McNeely, Big Mama Thornton, and especially Etta James. Many R&B hits, 1950s. Huge Rock/R&B hit Willie And The Hand Jive, 1958, which he wrote. Wrote Gladys Knight And The Pips first hit Every Beat Of My Heart and The Fiestas So Fine. Hosted radio shows off and on for many years, especially in the 1980s. Own Sebastopol apple farm, 1990s. He died in 2012, just days after turning 90.
Posted on: Sun, 28 Dec 2014 06:41:18 +0000
Trending Topics
© 2015