Johnny Otis
Johnny Otis, born Ioannis Alexandres Veliotes to Greek immigrant parents, was a bandleader, drummer, talent scout and radio DJ who became one of the chief architects of postwar rhythm and blues in Los Angeles, discovering and mentoring artists including Etta James, Big Mama Thornton, and Jackie Wilson. His own hits, like the dance-craze novelty 'Willie and the Hand Jive,' fused jump blues and early rock and roll into the loose, groove-driven sound that came to define West Coast R&B — a lineage his son Shuggie Otis grew up inside and drew directly from. He was inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Blues Hall of Fame.
we haven’t charted Johnny Otis yet
this stretch of the river isn’t mapped. we trace the watershed one artist at a time — and we’re always heading further upstream.