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Johnny Otis | |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Ioannis Alexandres Veliotes (Ιωάννης Αλέξανδρος Βελιώτης) |
| Born | December 28, 1921 Vallejo, California, U.S. |
| Died | January 17, 2012 (aged 90) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
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| Years active | 1940s–2000s |
| Website | johnnyotisworld |
Johnny Otis (born Ioannis Alexandres Veliotes (Ιωάννης Αλέξανδρος Βελιώτης); December 28, 1921 – January 17, 2012) was a first generation Greek-American singer, musician, composer, bandleader, record producer, and talent scout.[1] He was a seminal influence on American R&B and rock and roll. He discovered numerous artists early in their careers who went on to become highly successful in their own right, including Little Esther Phillips, Etta James, Alan O'Day,[2] Big Mama Thornton, Johnny Ace, Jackie Wilson, Little Willie John, Hank Ballard, and The Robins, among many others. Otis has been called the "Godfather of Rhythm and Blues".[3]
- ^ Lewis, Randy (January 19, 2012). "Johnny Otis Obituary: R&B Singer, Drummer, Bandleader Dies at 90". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 19, 2012.
- ^ Linna, Marian (2005). Liner Notes of "Wild Guitar" CD. Norton Records.
- ^ "Johnny Otis". History-of-rock.com. Retrieved July 1, 2008.