Biography of Johnny Otis

There was probably no one who played a greater role -- or as many roles -- in catalyzing rhythm & blues on the West Coast than Johnny Otis. Bandleader, club owner, producer, writer, DJ, and musician, Otis was responsible for recording such artists as Charles Brown, Little Esther, and Big Mama Thornton. Off and on since the '40s, he has led a revue that features both big names and new discoveries. Otis has sung on record, with "Willie and the Hand Jive" being his best-known vocal (Capitol, 1958), but he has usually preferred to put other singers out front, and the majority of his hits featured Little Esther and/or Mel Walker during the Otis aggregation's peak of popularity in 1950-1952. The Johnny Otis Show made a resurgence in the early '70s, with vocalists such as Big Joe Turner and Cleanhead Vinson heading an all-star cast that included Otis's son Shuggie on guitar. In varying configurations, the Otis crew has periodically regrouped to tour and record when the leader was not occupied with preaching or other new pursuits. ~ Jim O'Neal