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."
Willie & the Hand Jive
Johnny Otis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He got a cool little chick named Rockin' Billie
Do you walk and stroll with Susie Q
And do that crazy hand jive too?
Papa told Willie "you'll ruin my home
You and that hand jive has got to go"
Willie said "papa, don't put me down
Hand jive, hand jive
Hand jive, doin' that crazy hand jive
Mama, mama, look at uncle Joe, look at him
He's doin' that hand jive with sister Flo
Even gave baby sister a dime, hey, hey
Said "do that hand jive one more time"
Well, a doctor and a lawyer and a indian chief
They all dig that crazy beat
Way-Out Willie gave them all a treat, yeah
When he did the hand jive with his feet
Hand jive, hand jive
Hand jive, doin' that crazy hand jive, hey, hey
Come on, sugar, yeah!
Well, Willie and Billie got married last fall
They had a little Willie Junior and that ain't all
You know that baby got greatness and it's plain to see, hey, hey
Doin' that hand jive on T.V., come on
Hand jive, hand jive
(Why don't you) hand jive, doin' that crazy hand jive
Hey, hey, well
Yeah, yeah
The song "Willie & the Hand Jive" by Johnny Otis is a playful ode to the popular dance craze of the 1950s, the hand jive. The lyrics introduce a character named Way-Out Willie, who has a cool little chick named Rockin' Billie. They both love to do the hand jive, a dance that involves intricate hand movements to the rhythm of the music. However, Willie's father disapproves of the dance and tells him that it's ruining their home, but Willie shrugs it off and continues to do the hand jive all over town.
The song showcases the universal appeal of the hand jive, as people from all walks of life, including doctors, lawyers, and Indian chiefs, are drawn to its beat. Even Uncle Joe and Sister Flo can't help but join in on the fun, and a baby sister gets a dime for doing the hand jive. In the end, Willie and Billie get married and have a son named Willie Junior, who also becomes a master of the hand jive and even appears on TV doing the dance.
Overall, "Willie & the Hand Jive" celebrates the infectious joy of dancing and the power of music to bring people together. The hand jive, in particular, is seen as something that transcends social barriers and brings together people of all ages and backgrounds.
Line by Line Meaning
I know a cat named Way-Out Willie
I am acquainted with a man named Way-Out Willie
He got a cool little chick named Rockin' Billie
He is in a romantic relationship with a woman named Rockin' Billie
Do you walk and stroll with Susie Q
Do you enjoy dancing with a woman named Susie Q?
And do that crazy hand jive too?
And do you also dance the hand jive?
Papa told Willie "you'll ruin my home
Willie's father warned him that his behavior would negatively impact their family
You and that hand jive has got to go"
His father disliked Willie's habit of dancing the hand jive
Willie said "papa, don't put me down
Willie asked his father not to criticize him
Been doin' that hand jive all over town"
Willie explained that he dances the hand jive frequently
Hand jive, hand jive
The lyrics reference the hand jive dance
Mama, mama, look at uncle Joe, look at him
The singer's mother is asked to observe Uncle Joe
He's doin' that hand jive with sister Flo
Uncle Joe is seen dancing the hand jive with Sister Flo
Even gave baby sister a dime, hey, hey
He even gave the singer's baby sister a small amount of money
Said "do that hand jive one more time"
Uncle Joe encouraged them to dance the hand jive again
Well, a doctor and a lawyer and a indian chief
The song references individuals from different careers
They all dig that crazy beat
They all enjoy the rhythm of the hand jive
Way-Out Willie gave them all a treat, yeah
Willie entertained them all with his hand jive performance
When he did the hand jive with his feet
Willie was able to dance the hand jive and move his feet at the same time
Come on, sugar, yeah!
The singer expresses excitement and enthusiasm for the dance
Well, Willie and Billie got married last fall
Willie and Billie were wed last autumn
They had a little Willie Junior and that ain't all
They also had a son named Willie Junior
You know that baby got greatness and it's plain to see, hey, hey
Their son is great and it's easy to tell
Doin' that hand jive on T.V., come on
The son has been seen dancing the hand jive on television
(Why don't you) hand jive, doin' that crazy hand jive
The song's chorus conveys the message to dance the hand jive
Hey, hey, well
The song is a joyful, upbeat call to dance
Yeah, yeah
An expression of agreement and excitement
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@23tbob
I was 16 when this came out, and it was the first rock 'n roll song that "blew me away". And it's still in the TOP 5 of my all time favorite songs, and I'll be 80 in July 2022.
@johntittensor6488
Yo 23tBob! Same timing, I was 15 in Australia, found myself doing the song with cover bands in France decades later. Happy Birthday! John T
@23tbob
@John Tittensor Thanks for the birthday wishes (Friday the 22nd). Hard to believe I'll be 80, and my health is still pretty good. I'm watching the British Open right now -- I follow the Norwegian "kid" Viktor Hovland (he's 24). He's ranked about 8th or 9th in the world golf rankings.
@chrisb5278
Hey there! I'm of almost the same birthday but in 88. I love this music! Happy to read that you're in good health! 😁👍
@r0ckstar666
When I heard bad brains fearless vampire killers in 1984 that blew me away
@harleypointer5984
Keep rocking kings!
@pennycarroll9006
Oh we all used to do this at the dances we had way back then. It sure was fun. I heard this on radio today and started singing it while I was driving. Remembered the words too! I am a young 77! Music is my secret!!!
@andrewkappler5503
Tommy Williams came to Shawshank in 1965 on a two-year stretch for B&E. That's breaking & entering to you. Cops caught him sneaking TV sets out the back door of a JC Penney. Young punk. Mr. Rock and Roll. Cocky as hell. We liked him immediately.
@Yevkasem1417
:) Perfect
@mr.pastor5681
”Come on Old Boys!!!”