Farewell Johnny

The Godfather of Rhythm and Blues, Johnny Otis, died today at the age of ninety.  The long, joyful ride of the Johnny Otis Show has finally come to an end.

Johnny Otis was the son of Greek immigrants, but his wholehearted adoption of black culture and music led a lot of fans (including me) to think he was black.  He not only recorded a lot of classic R&B, he discovered Etta James and Jackie Wilson, produced Big Mama Thornton’s version of “Hound Dog,” and recorded with Mel Walker and Little Esther Phillips, who later became the Coasters.

The political stands he took in the 1960s alienated a lot of the Powers that Be, and his career suffered, but he kept on playing, producing, and recording.

Here he is with what was probably his biggest hit.