Brother from Another Planet: The Johnny Otis Story

Tuesday Mayhem 8 6:PM to 10:PM
Hosted by Art Crimes and John Goldfarb

Johnny Otis came from the most unlikely background imaginable for a person who would end up defining much of the character of black rhythm and blues during the late 1940s and throughout the 1950s. Born in Vallejo, California in 1921, this son of Greek immigrants proved to have a golden touch, writing, producing, and/or playing for Little Esther Phillips, Johnny Ace, Big Mama Thornton, Etta James, Johnny Guitar Watson, and countless others, as well as releasing a few hits under his own name (most notably, "Willie and the Hand Jive"). And if that wasn't enough, he found time to be a farmer, a politician, a pastor, and a DJ. We'll hear the evidence to support Johnny Otis' desire to be black by choice, if not by birth. Johnny passed away in January of this year. Johnny's son Shuggie will also be featured as we hear his own recordings and session work.