When did Johnny Otis get famous?

Answer 1

Depending on his audience, in the 40's to jazz enthusiasts, recording Harlem Nocturn, then in the fifties (he co-wrote Hound Dog/ Bear Cat for Mama Rae Thornton in '53), later credited to Lieber and Stohler for Elvis in '56.

Mid fifties at John C Fremont High Scool LA at a sock hop with Art Laboe as DJ, he awarded a contract to Lou Rawls (first song.... Nothin in the World But Love, Love, Love). Put Richard Berry, who recorded the Calypso love Ballad Louie, Louie* with the Pharoahs in the mid '50s together with Etta James first hit (the Wallflower or as we know it from Art Laboe's Oldie but Goodies album.... Dance with Me Henry). Promoted "The Jumpin jacks": Don and Dewey.... "I'm leavin it all up to You".

How about "There is something on your Mind" with Big Jay Mc Neeley.

I'm sure I could go on but last but not least Suggie Otis, Johnny Otis son, writing "Strawberry Letter 23" which the Brothers Johnson make a hit out of.

*A fine little girl awaits for me,

Shes just a trip across the sea,

I smell that rose hangin in her hair,

I tell her I'll never leave her care.... Louie, Louie

I used to watch the Johnny Otis Show on KTLA and listen to Rosco Evergreens on Radio KGFJ. I love blues and rhythm as Johnny Otis called it in the beginning, Alan Freed changed the sequence to Rhythm and Blues and it's been that way.

He was always famous to me. He would sign off his show:

Bye Bye Baby until we meet again, Same time same station.

A '50s kid from LA living in Olympia, WA.

Paul Askier..... leader of the Hustler's band, Whittier CA. Retired