Shuggie Otis, born 1953, is the son of Johnny Otis, a rhythm and blues musi… Read Full Bio ↴Shuggie Otis, born 1953, is the son of Johnny Otis, a rhythm and blues musician. He started performing in his youth and released his first record in 1970. He not only writes songs, but also plays guitar, piano, organ, and bass. He has recorded with Frank Zappa, Al Kooper, Etta James, and Eddie Vinson, and more recently Mos Def.
The Brothers Johnson's version of his composition "Strawberry Letter 23" reached #1 in the Billboard rhythm and blues chart and #5 in the Billboard pop chart in 1977.
Shuggie's albums include: "Here Comes Shuggie Otis", "Freedom Flight" and "Inspiration Information".
In 2001 David Byrne rereleased the album "Inspiration Information" on Luaka Bop.
(2) Guitarist/singer/songwriter/producer/multi-instrumentalist Shuggie Otis may not be a household name, but his "Strawberry Letter 23" is in the record collections of millions of households. The Brothers Johnson's cover of "Strawberry Letter 23" has sold over a million copies, peaking at number one R&B and number five pop on Billboard's charts in summer 1977. It was on their LP Right on Time, which went platinum, selling over a million copies, holding the number one R&B spot for three weeks and making it to number 13 pop in spring 1977. Otis wrote "Strawberry Letter 23" for his girlfriend, who used strawberry scented paper for her letters to him. Another Otis favorite, "Inspiration Information," received substantial airplay in Chicago and other markets, charting #56 R&B in early 1975.
Born Johnny Otis, Jr. on November 30, 1953, in Los Angeles, CA, Otis' formidable musical talents appeared at an early age. He began his professional career around 1965. He played a guitar solo on his bandleader, father Johnny Otis' 1969 number 29 R&B hit, "Country Girl," issued by Kent Records. His guitar skills were so adept that during his teen years, he would have to wear dark glasses and strategically apply black ink between his nose and mouth to appear old enough to perform in clubs with his father.
Signing with CBS Records, Otis began recording virtuoso guitar-laced R&B/West Coast blues sides. His first LP was Al Kooper Introduces Shuggie Otis on CBS. Johnny Otis produced 1970's Here Comes Shuggie Otis, which was issued on the CBS imprint, Epic Records. Otis' Freedom Flight was issued September 1971 and included the original version of "Strawberry Letter 23," the heart-tugging "Someone's Always Singing," "Ice Cold Daydream," and the bluesy "Me and My Woman," co-written by Otis and Gene Barge (known best for his association with Chess Records, Chuck Willis, and Natalie Cole).
His LP Inspiration Information was issued in October 1974, with Otis playing all of the instruments on jazzy and Latin-tinged R&B numbers. The LP was one of the first releases to showcase the electronic rhythm box then found usually on organs. Besides "Inspiration Information," the LP included the sly "Sparkle City," the sweet ballad "Outtamihead," and the lush, strings-laden "Island Letter," which was the B-side of "Inspiration Information."
George Johnson of the Brothers Johnson was dating one of Otis' cousins who gave Johnson a copy of Freedom Flight. Immediately, he liked "Ice Cold Daydream" and "Strawberry Letter 23." The latter song was played at his brother Louis Johnson's wedding during the wedding march. Louis suggested the song to their producer Quincy Jones for an album track. The track's complex guitar solo was played by Lee Ritenour. The Brothers Johnson version is quite close to Otis' original version.
Later on in the '90s, Otis played with his own band around northern California and toured extensively. His son, Lucky Otis, played bass with Johnny Otis' band. Shuggie Otis is featured in the book Alligator Records Presents West Coast Blues, issued in August 1998 by Milwaukee, WI, publisher Hal Leonard. ~ Ed Hogan, Rovi
The Brothers Johnson's version of his composition "Strawberry Letter 23" reached #1 in the Billboard rhythm and blues chart and #5 in the Billboard pop chart in 1977.
Shuggie's albums include: "Here Comes Shuggie Otis", "Freedom Flight" and "Inspiration Information".
In 2001 David Byrne rereleased the album "Inspiration Information" on Luaka Bop.
(2) Guitarist/singer/songwriter/producer/multi-instrumentalist Shuggie Otis may not be a household name, but his "Strawberry Letter 23" is in the record collections of millions of households. The Brothers Johnson's cover of "Strawberry Letter 23" has sold over a million copies, peaking at number one R&B and number five pop on Billboard's charts in summer 1977. It was on their LP Right on Time, which went platinum, selling over a million copies, holding the number one R&B spot for three weeks and making it to number 13 pop in spring 1977. Otis wrote "Strawberry Letter 23" for his girlfriend, who used strawberry scented paper for her letters to him. Another Otis favorite, "Inspiration Information," received substantial airplay in Chicago and other markets, charting #56 R&B in early 1975.
Born Johnny Otis, Jr. on November 30, 1953, in Los Angeles, CA, Otis' formidable musical talents appeared at an early age. He began his professional career around 1965. He played a guitar solo on his bandleader, father Johnny Otis' 1969 number 29 R&B hit, "Country Girl," issued by Kent Records. His guitar skills were so adept that during his teen years, he would have to wear dark glasses and strategically apply black ink between his nose and mouth to appear old enough to perform in clubs with his father.
Signing with CBS Records, Otis began recording virtuoso guitar-laced R&B/West Coast blues sides. His first LP was Al Kooper Introduces Shuggie Otis on CBS. Johnny Otis produced 1970's Here Comes Shuggie Otis, which was issued on the CBS imprint, Epic Records. Otis' Freedom Flight was issued September 1971 and included the original version of "Strawberry Letter 23," the heart-tugging "Someone's Always Singing," "Ice Cold Daydream," and the bluesy "Me and My Woman," co-written by Otis and Gene Barge (known best for his association with Chess Records, Chuck Willis, and Natalie Cole).
His LP Inspiration Information was issued in October 1974, with Otis playing all of the instruments on jazzy and Latin-tinged R&B numbers. The LP was one of the first releases to showcase the electronic rhythm box then found usually on organs. Besides "Inspiration Information," the LP included the sly "Sparkle City," the sweet ballad "Outtamihead," and the lush, strings-laden "Island Letter," which was the B-side of "Inspiration Information."
George Johnson of the Brothers Johnson was dating one of Otis' cousins who gave Johnson a copy of Freedom Flight. Immediately, he liked "Ice Cold Daydream" and "Strawberry Letter 23." The latter song was played at his brother Louis Johnson's wedding during the wedding march. Louis suggested the song to their producer Quincy Jones for an album track. The track's complex guitar solo was played by Lee Ritenour. The Brothers Johnson version is quite close to Otis' original version.
Later on in the '90s, Otis played with his own band around northern California and toured extensively. His son, Lucky Otis, played bass with Johnny Otis' band. Shuggie Otis is featured in the book Alligator Records Presents West Coast Blues, issued in August 1998 by Milwaukee, WI, publisher Hal Leonard. ~ Ed Hogan, Rovi
Trouble
Shuggie Otis Lyrics
We have lyrics for these tracks by Shuggie Otis:
"Island Letter" How did you think about me at all? Or just happened…
01. Sweet Thang Oh baby, sweet thang Oh baby, sweet thang Oh baby, sweet th…
03 Sparkle City Sun is up and greets with a grin, Let me know,…
10-Strawberry Letter 23 Hello my love, I heard a kiss from you Red magic…
13 Strawberry Letter 23 Hello my love, I heard a kiss from you Red magic…
Ah Uh Mi Hed Aht uh mi hed, it's glowing Aht uh mi hed, it's…
Ain't Got No It don't mean a thing If it ain't got that swing (doo…
Bury My Body Bury my body Lord, I don't care where they Bury my body Lord…
Chicken Shack Boogie Hello everybody this cat is back, Looking for a place called…
City sparkle Sun is up and greets with a grin, Let me know,…
Driftin' Blues Well I'm drifting and drifting, Like a ship out on the…
Ice Cold Daydream I looked at you, girl, I saw a smile For my…
Information Inspiration-1 We had a rainy day I'm in a snake back situation Here's…
Inspiration Information + We had a rainy day I'm in a snake back situation Here's…
Inspiration/Information Ah... Ah... ah... Ah... Ah... ah... Ah... Ah... ah... Ah... …
Island Letter How did you think about me at all? Or just happened…
Lookin' For A Home I was lost by the river And I couldn't find a…
Louie Louie Louie, Louie, oh, oh, me gotta go Louie, Louie, me gotta…
Me and My Woman we don't get along but one day at a time we don't…
Mood Indigo You ain't never been blue; no, no, no, You ain't…
One Scotch One Bourbon One Beer One scotch, one bourbon, one beer One scotch, one bourbon, …
Purple Sun is up and greets with a grin, Let me know,…
Shake Rattle & Roll We are not in a position to display these lyrics…
Shake Rattle And Roll Get outta that bed, wash your face and hands Get outta…
Sparkle City Sun is up and greets with a grin, Let me know,…
Strawberry 23 Hello my love, I heard a kiss from you Red magic…
Strawberry Letter 23 (One Rascal Extended Mix Hello, my love, I heard a kiss from you Red magic…
Strwberry Letter 23 Hello my love, I heard a kiss from you Red magic…
Sweet Thang Oh baby, sweet thang Oh baby, sweet thang Oh baby, sweet th…
Willie and the Hand Jive I know a cat named Way-Out Willie He got a cool…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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Alicia Bolton
Where has Shuggie been all my life?! What a talent. Shuggie brings it. ❤️
BIZARRE BAZAAR
Perhaps he was waiting for the right time.. ; ) Cheers!
king shaman
This album reminds me of how much you just can't throw on any type of music and expect people to vibe with it. This is probably my most personal album I own - I play it when I need to really feel something. It's an absolute perfect and beautiful musical work of art and you can tell this man put all his heart & soul into it. Everything is here funk, somber moods, happiness and a little bit of distress. I found my original vinyl pressing of "Inspiration Information" in a Goodwill dustbin back in the early '90s. This is a true jewel and original feel that becomes more illustrious as the years go by. Thank you for making our lives a little more sweeter, brother Shuggie Otis.
Freaking Out With Billy Hume
This album was given to me by one of the artists I was recording and it became the soundtrack of my life. I also recognize so many elements of his production and songwriting that is now in other people's music. What he created is a masterpiece that more people should know about. So glad to see it here.
BIZARRE BAZAAR
👍 Yeah! Really far ahead at the time.. And perhaps even still. I too recognize many elements in this album that came to use in a lot of different artists, and styles, even more so in the 21st century than before. ; ) Cheers!
Chris Kroll
It's Sunday morning and I'm drinking my coffee out on the balcony and catching a buzz with some good weed and I thought I would pull up some Shug 😁 this would be a great album to play the guitar along to.
Freaking Out With Billy Hume
@Chris Kroll Yes! We've listened to it so much. The vibe is always good.
LinNO
The kids need exposure to this rather than the over processed AutoTune only thump music of today but I think you understand. Why have skill when you can just cuss and degrade others. Thanks for some back story.
LinNO
Rainey Day is so sweet, wow
Élina Mara
Adoro esse álbum ❤️🌈