Johnny Otis, Rest In Peace

(Photo by Ed Perlstein/Redferns/Getty Images)

Earlier this week we celebrated Betty White’s 90th birthday. Well Johnny Otis just died. He made it to 90. He was the God Father of Rhythm and Blues. If you remember the song Willie And The Hand Jive, you remember Johnny. He has been one of my heroes because he was not only a fine musician and band leader, but he was a missionary to spread the message that R&B was amazing. His passion was to introduce black music to a white audience. This was at a time when racial segregation was law in many parts of the USA. And Johnny was not of African roots…he was Greek. But he got how special R&B is, and did a lot to spread the word. He was brought up in a black neighborhood and changed his Greek name to Otis because it sounded more black.

He started his first band in 1945 and had a hit with Harlem Nocturne. In the 1950′s he had a bunch of R&B hits including the million seller Willie and the Hand Jive. He wrote Every Beat of My Heart, a big hit for Gladys Knight & The Pips. He was amazing when it came to recognizing talent, and played a big role in a lot of young musicians careers…like Etta James, Hank Ballard, Big Mama Thornton (he produced her legendary recording of Hound Dog), Jackie Wilson, Little Willie John, and the Robins, who later became the Coasters. He produced and played with Little Richard, Louis Jordan, Joe Turner and jazz greats including Lester Young and Count Basie. He did a TV show in Los Angeles for many years, and did a radio show for over 50 years. He made it to the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, Rhythm & Blues Hall Of Fame, and the Blues Hall Of Fame. His passion for music was contagious.

I always loved Johnny for the fact that he discovered one of my all time favorite singers. A 14 year old girl named Esther Mae Jones entered a talent contest in L.A. at a club owned by Johnny. She won. He was impressed. He started recording her as Little Esther Phillips. In the early 60′s, she dropped the “Little” part of her name and had a smash hit called Release Me, and in 1965 did a version of the Beatles’ And I Love Him. Years ago when Sir Paul was calling my show from London I asked what his favorite cover of a Lennon-McCartney song was. I’m sure his answer could change daily, but that day he named Esther Phillips’ version of And I Love Him. They even flew her over to England to perform in a TV special hosted by John and Paul. I saw Esther in her jazz singer days at Ratso’s on Lincoln Avenue. Not sure of the year, but she died in 1984. I got up the nerve to do the geeky fan thing, and told her I had saved my baby sitting money so I could buy Release Me in 1962. And that was the truth. It was a thrill to meet her and hear her sing live. Thank goodness Johnny had a talent for spotting and developing talent.

Johnny also play drums on Charles Brown’s R&B classic Driftin Blues. I went on my first blues cruise probably 15 years ago, to hear Charles Brown and Etta James. I will never ever forget that week. Saw every one of their sets. One night I was playing the slot machines in the casino with Charles. He was amazing. And what a thrill for me to spend time with two of my musical heroes. Two musicians that were touched by Johnny’s talent and passion. Oh, and Johnny wrote the Wallflower, better known as Dance With Me Henry…Etta’s first big hit. Etta was 14 years old when Johnny gave her that big break in show biz. Amazing how one person’s life can impact so many others.

What a life well lived. For decades Johnny Otis did his ever lovin’ best to make and promote the music and musicians he loved. The emergence of R&B was not just a musical fad. It helped change our culture in a profound way. I always teach my students at the college of rock and roll knowledge that baseball and R&B helped Dr. King make his dream come true…big time. Johnny Otis made a difference…and some fantastic music.