Johnny Otis

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Johnny Otis was an American bandleader, drummer, singer, producer and talent scout. He was born in 1921 as Ioannis Veliotes in Vallejo, California, to Greek immigrants. He grew up in a predominantly Black neighbourhood in Berkeley and chose at an early age to live as a member of the Black community. As a teenager he bought a drum kit and played in local bands and later in swing orchestras.

Music and breakthrough

In 1945 Otis started his own band, which had a hit with Harlem Nocturne. In 1947 he opened the Barrelhouse Club in Watts, Los Angeles, with Bardu Ali. There he made his band smaller and hired singers, among them the teenage singer Little Esther, whom he discovered at a talent contest. With his California Rhythm and Blues Caravan he scored a string of R&B hits around 1950, such as Double Crossing Blues. In 1952 he produced the first recording of Hound Dog by Big Mama Thornton in Houston, on which he also played drums. He discovered Etta James, Jackie Wilson and Hank Ballard, and in 1958 he had a big hit of his own with Willie and the Hand Jive.

Influence

Otis is sometimes called the godfather of rhythm and blues. He gave countless young singers their first break and helped build the bridge from swing to R&B and rock 'n' roll. He was also a radio DJ, writer and preacher, and spoke out openly against racism. He died in 2012.

Listening

Discography

Studio albums

• 1970Stone Down Blues
• 1995Nothin' but the Blues

In School of Rock

The chapters, maps and magazine stories of School of Rock are currently available in Dutch only.

• Mixtape 10: Women in Pop Music^NL Reader