After playing in a variety of swing orchestras, including Lloyd Hunter's Serenaders, he founded his own band in 1945 and had one of the most enduring hits of the big band era, "Harlem Nocturne". This band played with Wynonie Harris and Charles Brown. In 1947 he and Bardu Ali opened the Barrelhouse Club in the Watts district of Los Angeles. He reduced the size of his band and hired singers Mel Walker, Little Esther Phillips and the Robins (who later became the Coasters). He discovered the teenaged Phillips when she won one of the Barrelhouse Club's talent shows. With this band, which toured extensively throughout the United States as the California Rhythm and Blues Caravan, he had a long string of rhythm and blues hits through 1952.
In the late 1940s he discovered Big Jay McNeely, who then performed on his Barrelhouse Stomp. In the 1950s he discovered Etta James, for whom he produced her first hit, Roll With Me, Henry, (also known as The Wallflower). Otis produced the original recording of Hound Dog written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller with vocal by Big Mama Thornton, and was given a writing credit on all six of the 1953 releases of the song. As an artist and repertory man for King Records he also discovered Jackie Wilson, Hank Ballard, and Little Willie John, among others. He also became an influential disk jockey in Los Angeles. However, he continued to perform, and in April 1957 he had a hit with his best-known recording Willie and the Hand Jive. His most famous composition is "Every Beat of My Heart", first recorded by an obscure group in the '50s but which became a huge hit for Gladys Knight.
In the 1960s he entered journalism and politics, losing a campaign for a seat in the California Assembly (one reason for the loss may be that he ran under his much less well known real name). He then became chief of staff for Democratic Congressman Mervyn M. Dymally.
He continued performing through the 1990s and headlined the San Francisco Blues Festival in 2000, although because of his many other interests he went through long periods where he did not perform.
In the 1990's he lived near Sebastopol, California and ran a coffee shop / grocery store / blues club in that hip rural city north of San Francisco.
He was elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994.
Otis had a popular radio show on KPFA, called The Johnny Otis Show. This show was aired every Saturday Morning, live from the Powerhouse Brewery in Sebastopol. Listeners were invited to stop in for breakfast and enjoy the show live. Alas, the show's frequency deteriorated along with Johnny's health. When Otis moved to Los Angeles, the show stuttered, then stopped completely and now even the Powerhouse has closed its doors. The last real show was August 19, 2006 and the last with Otis was some time before that.
Otis died on January 17, 2012 at the age of ninety.
Otis, of Greek descent, was the older brother of Nicholas Veliotes, former U.S. Ambassador to Jordan (1978-1981) and to Egypt (1984-1986). He was the father of Shuggie Otis.
Frank Zappa had cited Otis as the inspiration for his distinctive trademark facial hair, stating in an interview conducted by Simpsons creator Matt Groening and Guitar Player magazine editor Don Menn that "it looked good on Johnny Otis, so I grew it."
Telephone Baby
Johnny Otis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yes it's me and I'm lonely
I had to call you on the phone
Whoa, oh now, baby
Don't leave me all alone
Don't you know I got the felleing
Whoa, oh now, baby
Really gonna treat you right
I had to call you on the phone
Come on over, I'm all alone
And when I look into your eyes, baby
Then I realise, I get a thrill
I get a chill, I get a mmmm
Don't you know I'm blue and lonely
I need your loving all ways
Whoa, oh now, baby
I'm yours for the rest of my days
I had to call you on the phone
Come on over, I'm all alone
And when I look into your eyes, baby
Then I realise, I get a thrill
I get a chill, I get a mmmm
Don't you know I'm blue and lonely
I need your loving all ways
Whoa, oh now, baby
I'm yours for the rest of my days
I'm yours for the rest of my days
I'm yours for the rest of my days
Okay Johnny, I'll call you again tomorrow, bye
Bye baby
The song "Telephone Baby" by Johnny Otis is a soulful ballad about a lonely man reaching out to his lover over the phone, desperate for her companionship. The lyrics capture the feeling of being disconnected from a loved one and the yearning to be reunited with them. The singer confesses to feeling blue and lonely, expressing his desire to hold his lover tight and treat her right. He implores her not to leave him all alone and professes his love for her, promising to be hers for the rest of his days.
The song is a classic example of Otis's smooth and soulful style, with a bluesy melody and passionate vocals. The lyrics evoke images of the classic telephone conversations of yesteryears when lovers would spend hours on the phone, pouring out their hearts to each other. Despite the simplicity of the song's theme, it resonates with many because it captures the very essence of loneliness and the human desire for love and companionship.
Line by Line Meaning
Hello Johnny
The singer is addressing Johnny with a greeting.
Yes it's me and I'm lonely
The singer is confirming their identity and expressing that they feel isolated or sad.
I had to call you on the phone
The singer is explaining that they had to resort to calling Johnny rather than seeing them in person.
Whoa, oh now, baby
A phrase of admiration or affection directed at Johnny.
Don't leave me all alone
The artist is pleading with Johnny to not abandon them in their loneliness.
Don't you know I got the feeling
The singer is expressing a strong desire or emotion towards Johnny.
I wanna hold you tight
The singer wants to physically embrace Johnny.
Really gonna treat you right
The artist promises to treat Johnny with care and respect.
Come on over, I'm all alone
The artist is inviting Johnny to come to their location because they are feeling lonely.
And when I look into your eyes, baby
The artist appreciates the connection they feel with Johnny when they make eye contact.
Then I realise, I get a thrill
The singer becomes excited or euphoric when they are with Johnny.
I get a chill, I get a mmmm
The artist is physically and emotionally affected by their attraction to Johnny.
Don't you know I'm blue and lonely
The singer is reiterating their feelings of sadness and isolation to Johnny.
I need your loving all ways
The singer requires the comfort and support of Johnny's affection.
I'm yours for the rest of my days
The singer pledges their love and commitment to Johnny.
Okay Johnny, I'll call you again tomorrow, bye
The artist agrees to contact Johnny again and says goodbye.
Bye baby
A farewell term of endearment for Johnny.
Writer(s): Johnny Otis
Contributed by Kylie N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@georgekontos3100
Like 315. I love this song! I remember this song in 1959.
Subbed!
@primroseharan9749
Love this fantastic singers and great song thanks for this brilliant post
@jonjeanwes
Your welcome Primrose thanks for listening
@ddoeser5830
Prachtige muziek dierbare herrinneringen R.I.P ❤🇳🇱 ONVERGETELIJK JAAR 2O22 🙏
@PAULLONDEN
For Europeans just out of post WW2 depression this represented "the promised land" ; there was this mythical USA somewhere......
Sadly we were rudely awoken.
@keesvink3168
Happy when i hear this
@ddoeser5830
Goedemorgen! Groetjes aan iederéén van de muziek!🎸🎶🎶🎶🎶❤🎹🥁🎸🤩
@sikalalu
oh i like it !
@Roelandvanreem
geweldig !
@wilhelminajansen
1958 ?