Community Corner

L.A. R&B Legend Johnny Otis Dies

Otis introduced generations of Angelenos to the city's R&B artistry.

Echo Park Patch is sad today after hearing the news that musician and DJ Johnny Otis passed away Tuesday in his Altadena home after a long illness.

Otis helped black music cross over to white audiences as a musician, producer and radio host. 

Otis wrote and recorded the R&B classic “Willie and the Hand Jive,” among others.

Find out what's happening in Echo Park-Silver Lakewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

See a video of that in the accompanying Media Gallery.

Otis also produced the original recording of  “Hound Dog,” later recorded by Elvis Presley.

Find out what's happening in Echo Park-Silver Lakewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Many—including myself—may also remember his long-running Monday night music program on KPFK.

It was key in educating many generations of Angelenos about the music and the L.A. scene he so loved.

Here's an excerpt from a posting today by rocker Dave Alvin that also shows Otis's huge impact on local musicians and music fans:

Extremely sad about the news of the death of Johnny Otis. He was a HUGE influence on my brother and me. Starting around the age of 14, Phil and I followed him and his stunning blues orchestra around So Cal for a year like Deadheads would later do with The Dead. He was always nice to us little pests and was almost the manager for one of Phil's teenage blues bands (long story). A solid case could be made that he was as pivotal (in his various roles as bandleader, talent scout, songwriter and producer) as Sam Phillips or Leonard Chess were to the development of R+B, Soul and Rock and Roll. He was one damn smart, savvy, passionate, old school music hustler and survivor.

Younger audiences may also know of Otis's son, Shugie, the composer of "Strawberry Letter 23" and other mid-1970s hits revived on reissues in the last few years.

Read the Associated Press's full obit of Otis here.

And keep an eye on the site.  We’ll let you know if there will be a public memorial.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Echo Park-Silver Lake