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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.

After leaving the Lloyd Hunter band to form his own combo with bandmate Preston Love, an encounter with Nat King Cole in Omaha, Nebraska led to a change of plan. Cole informed Otis that Harlan Leonard needed a drummer for his band the Kansas City Rockets, who were the house band of Club Alabam in Los Angeles. Otis was sold on the idea and moved to Los Angeles.

Following the spell with the Kansas City Rockets, Otis became a session drummer for various recording studios, and also picked up many live drumming gigs, behind the likes of Lester Young, Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers and Count Basie.

Otis would soon form his own Johnny Otis Orchestra and achieve national chart success with “Harlem Nocturne” in 1946. This was a surprise to all concerned as it was something the band had knocked off rather swiftly to fill their quota at the end of a session.

“Harlem Nocturne” – The Johnny Otis Orchestra

In 1947-48, Otis opened the Barrelhouse Club in Los Angeles and put together a package touring show called “The Johnny Otis Rhythm and Blues Caravan.” By 1949, the band featured Little Esther Phillips, Mel Walker and the Robins (who would later become the Coasters). This band would have 10 singles in the R&B Top Ten in 1950 alone, including “Double Crossing Blues,” which was on top of the R&B chart for nine weeks. “Double Crossing Blues” was Esther Phillips’ first chart hit at the age of just 14.

“Double Crossing Blues” – Johnny Otis Quintette

Otis also become active in the music community in other ways, including radio broadcasting, songwriting, producing and working as an A&R man. Among the talents he discovered were Etta James, Hank Ballard and Jackie Wilson. Etta James’ breakthrough hit, “The Wallflower” (aka “Roll With Me Henry)”, was written and produced by Otis. He would also produce some of the early recordings of Little Richard, Big Mama Thornton (including the Leiber and Stoller-penned “Hound Dog”), and Johnny Ace (including the classic “Pledging My Love).

The Johnny Otis Show

Otis will perhaps be best remembered for his popular 1958 single “Willie and the Hand Jive,” with its irresistible Bo Diddley-inspired rhythm.

“Willie and the Hand Jive” – The Johnny Otis Show

“Willie and the Hand Jive” would become Otis’ biggest hit when it peaked at number nine on the US pop chart.

In 1969, Otis recorded a well-received album titled “Cold Shot,” which also featured the talents of Mighty Mouth Evans, Sugarcane Harris and his son Shuggie Otis. This led to an artist-producer contract with Epic and several further albums, including a record of the band’s live appearance at the 1970 Monterey Jazz Festival.

Although performing into his 80s, Otis juggled many activities and achieved many ambitions over the years, including penning the book “Listen to the Lambs” in 1968, serving as deputy chief of staff for a Democratic Congressman, founding the Landmark Community Gospel Church, and maintaining his radio broadcasting career. The Johnny Otis Show on the Berkeley-based KPFA radio station ran until 2006.