Posts Tagged ‘Willie and the Hand Jive’
Johnny Otis obituary – 1921-2012
Written by admin on January 19, 2012 – 4:53 pm -The “Godfather of R&B,” Johnny Otis, has passed away at the age of 90. The R&B performer, songwriter and producer, died in Los Angeles on Tuesday (January 17).
| Otis was born Ioannis Alexandres Veliotes on December 28, 1921, in Vallejo, California, the son of Greek immigrant parents. He lived in a primarily black neighbourhood where he was exposed to and greatly influenced by jazz and blues music. He took a keen interest in the drums, piano and vibraphone as a teenager, and soon took on paying gigs as a drummer with various local jazz combos and big bands, including the Lloyd Hunter Band. |  |
Tags: Double Crossing Blues, Harlem Nocturne, Johnny Otis death, Johnny Otis obituary, Johnny Otis Orchestra, Johnny Otis Quintette, Johnny Otis Show, Willie and the Hand Jive
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