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  1. Johnny Otis (born December 28, 1921, Vallejo, California, U.S.—died January 17, 2012, Altadena, California) was an American bandleader, drummer, vibraphonist, singer, producer, and promoter of rhythm and blues and rock and roll. He was instrumental in furthering the careers of a number of important rhythm-and-blues performers.

    • Robert Walser
  2. Apr 2, 2019 · The son of Greek immigrants, Johnny Otis was born on December 28, 1921, in Vallejo, California, and died on January 17, 2012. His father Alexandros emigrated early in the 20th century from Ermioni, a coastal town in the eastern Peloponnese. His mother, Irene Kiskakes, came from the nearby island of Hydra.

  3. Jan 20, 2012 · Johnny Otis was born John Alexander Veliotes (some sources give his first name as Ioannis) on Dec. 28, 1921, in Vallejo, Calif., the son of Greek immigrants who ran a grocery. He grew up in a ...

  4. Jul 21, 2024 · Johnny Otis was born Ioannis Alexandros Veliotes on December 28, 1921 in Vallejo, California. His Greek-immigrant parents were Alexander Veliotes, a grocery store owner, and painter Irene Kiskakes. He grew up in a predominantly black neighborhood, and early in life, he decided that was where he belonged. “As a kid, I decided that if our ...

  5. Jan 19, 2012 · Remembrance. Johnny Otis, the Greek Godfather of R&B, Dies at 90. His "Willie and the Hand Jive" was a 1958 summer sensation, but this white impresario was prouder of launching Etta James, Hank Ballard, Littlle Richard and other black artists into the musical mainstream. The white ethnic kid loved all things black and wanted to be part of this ...

  6. Jan 19, 2012 · Johnny Otis, the “godfather of rhythm and blues” who for decades evangelized black music to white audiences, has died at 90.

  7. Jan 19, 2012 · Johnny Otis was many things over his career, including a bandleader, producer, radio and TV host and composer. Additionally, Otis launched the careers of many of R&B's finest singers. Otis died on ...

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