Johnny Otis (born Ioannis Alexandres Veliotes, December 28, 1921 – January … Read Full Bio ↴Johnny Otis (born Ioannis Alexandres Veliotes, December 28, 1921 – January 17, 2012) was an American singer, musician, composer, arranger, bandleader, talent scout, disc jockey, record producer, television show host, artist, author, journalist, minister, and impresario. A seminal influence on American R&B and rock and roll, Otis discovered artists such as Little Esther, Big Mama Thornton, Jackie Wilson, Little Willie John and Hank Ballard. Known as the original "King of Rock & Roll", he is commonly referred to as the "Godfather of Rhythm and Blues".
In addition to hosting his own television show titled "The Johnny Otis Show", he also became an influential disc-jockey in Los Angeles, hosting his own radio show on radio station KFOX in Long Beach, California in 1955.
That same year, Otis started his own label, Ultra Records (which he changed to the name Dig after five single releases). Continuing to perform and appearing on TV shows in Los Angeles from 1957. On the strength of their success, he signed to Capitol Records. Featuring singer Marie Adams, and with his band now being credited as the Johnny Otis Show, he made a comeback, at first in the British charts with "Ma He's Making Eyes At Me" in 1957. In April 1958, he recorded his best-known recording, "Willie and the Hand Jive", a clave-based vamp, which relates to hand and arm motions in time with the music, called the hand jive. This went on to be a hit in the summer of 1958, peaking at no. 9 on the U.S. Pop chart, and becoming Otis' only Top 10 single. The single reached no. 1 on the Billboard R&B chart.
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 The Royals in the 1952 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.[citation needed] He was also was the pastor of Landmark Community Church. In 1969 he recorded an album of sexually explicit material under the name Snatch and the Poontangs. In 1970 he played at the legendary Monterey Jazz Festival with Little Esther Phillips and Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson.
In the 1990s Otis bought a farm near Sebastopol, California, north of San Francisco. For a time he ran a coffee shop / grocery store / blues club, where one of the featured singers was the Georgia-born singer Jackie Payne. Around this time Otis also founded and pastored a new church, Landmark Community Gospel Church, which held weekly rehearsals in the tiny town of Forestville, California and Sunday services in Santa Rosa, California. Landmark's worship services centered on Otis' preaching and the traditional-style performances of a gospel choir and a male gospel quartet, backed by a rocking band that featured Otis' son Nicky Otis and Nicky's son, Lucky Otis. The church closed its doors in the mid 1990s.
Otis continued performing through the 1990s and headlined the San Francisco Blues Festival in 1990 and 2000, although because of his many other interests he went through long periods where he did not perform.
Otis was elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994.
Otis, of Greek descent, is the older brother of Nicholas Veliotes, former U.S. Ambassador to Jordan (1978-1981) and to Egypt (1984-1986). He is the father of Shuggie Otis.
Frank Zappa has 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, "Itt looked good on Johnny Otis, so I grew it."
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. Last real show was August 19, 2006. Last show with Johnny was some time before that.
In addition to hosting his own television show titled "The Johnny Otis Show", he also became an influential disc-jockey in Los Angeles, hosting his own radio show on radio station KFOX in Long Beach, California in 1955.
That same year, Otis started his own label, Ultra Records (which he changed to the name Dig after five single releases). Continuing to perform and appearing on TV shows in Los Angeles from 1957. On the strength of their success, he signed to Capitol Records. Featuring singer Marie Adams, and with his band now being credited as the Johnny Otis Show, he made a comeback, at first in the British charts with "Ma He's Making Eyes At Me" in 1957. In April 1958, he recorded his best-known recording, "Willie and the Hand Jive", a clave-based vamp, which relates to hand and arm motions in time with the music, called the hand jive. This went on to be a hit in the summer of 1958, peaking at no. 9 on the U.S. Pop chart, and becoming Otis' only Top 10 single. The single reached no. 1 on the Billboard R&B chart.
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 The Royals in the 1952 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.[citation needed] He was also was the pastor of Landmark Community Church. In 1969 he recorded an album of sexually explicit material under the name Snatch and the Poontangs. In 1970 he played at the legendary Monterey Jazz Festival with Little Esther Phillips and Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson.
In the 1990s Otis bought a farm near Sebastopol, California, north of San Francisco. For a time he ran a coffee shop / grocery store / blues club, where one of the featured singers was the Georgia-born singer Jackie Payne. Around this time Otis also founded and pastored a new church, Landmark Community Gospel Church, which held weekly rehearsals in the tiny town of Forestville, California and Sunday services in Santa Rosa, California. Landmark's worship services centered on Otis' preaching and the traditional-style performances of a gospel choir and a male gospel quartet, backed by a rocking band that featured Otis' son Nicky Otis and Nicky's son, Lucky Otis. The church closed its doors in the mid 1990s.
Otis continued performing through the 1990s and headlined the San Francisco Blues Festival in 1990 and 2000, although because of his many other interests he went through long periods where he did not perform.
Otis was elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994.
Otis, of Greek descent, is the older brother of Nicholas Veliotes, former U.S. Ambassador to Jordan (1978-1981) and to Egypt (1984-1986). He is the father of Shuggie Otis.
Frank Zappa has 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, "Itt looked good on Johnny Otis, so I grew it."
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. Last real show was August 19, 2006. Last show with Johnny was some time before that.
Country Girl
The Johnny Otis Show Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'Country Girl' by these artists:
"Jeannie C. Riley Connie Smith" New York is a long way from Texas Vegas is…
American Country Hits Hey girl. Go on now. You know you've got everybody looking. …
B.B. King You know my little girl She's a country girl Yes my…
Belmont She's my country girl Just living in the center of a…
Billie Jo Spears The rain is falling lightly on the buildings and the…
Billy Vera & Judy Clay was born in New York City I was born in Georgia Girl…
Black Sabbath Fell in love with a country girl, morning sunshine She was…
Black Sabbath (With Ronnie James Dio) Fell in love with a country girl, morning sunshine She was…
Boy Harsher Hey there country girl Don′t go home Don't go home Don′t go …
Bryan Luke Hey girl, go on now! You know you've got everybody lookin' …
Buck Owens Just a year ago today when you packed and went…
Carolina Chocolate Drops I was raised in the country that's a natural fact Food…
Caroline Jones Oh my daddy's from Memphis He used to hunt in Arkansas And…
Crosbey Stills Nash & Young Winding paths through tables and glass First fall was new No…
Crosby Stills Nash & Young Winding paths through tables and glass First flowers bloom …
Crosby. Stills. Nash & Young Winding paths through tables and glass, first flowers bloom.…
David Crosby/Stephen Stills/Graham Nash/Neil Young Winding paths through tables and glass First fall was new No…
Debby Ryan I was born on the farm while my mom milked…
DF Dub Oh yea Let me tell ya a story About a country girl Oh…
DJ Ray Shes my country lady drives me Nearly crazy lord I…
Doc Walker She's got more rubber boots than high heel shoes Got sweeth…
Dottie West I was born a country girl; I will die a…
Faron Young I met you my country girl, you didn't have a…
G.I. The General Saw you one afternoon Country girl that's your tune Take my …
Geezer Butler/Ronnie James Dio/Tony Iommi Fell in love with a country girl, morning sunshine She was…
Glen Campbell About five o'clock in the late afternoon sun's gettin' drows…
Hayward Justin No deposit, no deposit No return, no, no return Knew I had,…
Ida Corr Yeeh ha I ain't lying when I tell you I've been…
Jake Thackray Country Girl She wakes up on a Saturday Yawns all the time…
James Iha Hallelujah, I'm in love with a girl from the country She's…
Jeannie C Riley New York is a long way from Texas Vegas is…
Jessie Buckley Never get too big, never get too heavy Never get too…
Jim Croce She was just a country girl Didn't have those New York…
Johnny Cash If you're travelin' in the north country fair Where the wind…
Johnny Otis Winding paths through tables and glass First flowers bloom N…
Johnny T She can tow a boat with her truck On the 400…
Jr. Walker & The All Stars I love me a good country girl Something about her But, you…
June Carter Now I'm a just a country girl That's one thing sure…
Justin Hayward No deposit, no deposit No return, no, no return Knew I had,…
K.C. Douglas New York is a long way from Texas Vegas is…
Kylie Morgan I don't NYC All these girls keep falling for the city…
Lisa McHugh Take me by the hand, hold me real tight Guide…
LIVING ROOM - Primal Scream Never get to bed (be?) Never get to hell baby Never get…
Luke Bryan Hey girl, go on now You know you've got everybody lookin' G…
LUKEBRYAN Hey girl, go on now! You know you've got everybody lookin' …
Lynn Anderson New York is a long way from Texas Vegas is…
Man My darlin' lives in Tennessee Way across the sea And thoug…
Marco Martelli D.J. Now, my baby's a country girl, And she just can't help…
Marianne Flynner I'm so tired and I feel like I'm gonna pass…
Mountain Castle Band You can take everything I own little country girl All I have…
Nazareth You are a girl from the country Your eyes remind me…
Neil Young If you're travelin' in the North Country fair Where the wind…
Neil Young (& various bands) Winding paths through tables and glass First fall was new No…
Olivia Newton-John I was born in the country, I was raised with…
Otis Spann Now, my baby's a country girl, And she just can't help…
Ozark Mountain Daredevils (HARP INTRO) well look see the moon comes risin' - tomorrow…
Palmer Rissi It's the way I think not how I talk, oh…
Pat & Marie The rain is falling lightly on the buildings and the…
Paul Brandt Words & Music by Paul Brandt She's been in 4-H since…
Peyton Parrish Is that my shirt Well, girl, you can have it Is that…
Polar Gang Country Girl Living downtown East Georgia When I asked you o…
Primal Scream Never get to bed (be?) Never get to hell baby Never get…
R&B You know my little girl She's a country girl Yes my…
Ray LaMontagne Country girl Country girl If you don't mind Baby we could…
Rissi Palmer It's the way I think not how I talk, oh…
Roger Miller Met you my country girl you didn't have a thing I…
Savannah Dexter I’m thick as cornbread get that from my Momma I got…
Scott Walker I was born a country girl I will die a…
Sports 僕はダイヤに 願いをかけた ノートに書いた「Never Mind」 子供の様な 君の瞳に 僕は鼻孔を広げた バナナの数 …
Steve Earle She's a country girl Young and pretty She want to…
Steve Earle & The Dukes She's a country girl Young and pretty She want to…
The Ozark Mountain Daredevils (HARP INTRO) well look see the moon comes risin' - tomorrow…
The Ragged Jubilee Country Girl Country girl how you need a lover And all my…
Tony Bennett Country girl, country girl I beheld her in meadowland Bowi…
U.P. Wilson Country girl Country boy Hetero story What a joy! It's a tal…
Young. Faron I met you my country girl, you didn't have a…
We have lyrics for these tracks by The Johnny Otis Show:
Castin' My Spell I took a black cat, a cave bat And threw them…
Crazy Country Hop Way down in a country town one day A little ole'…
Ma Little Lilly was oh! So silly and shy And all the…
Ma He's Makin' Eyes At Me Little Lilly was oh! So silly and shy And all the…
Ma He's Making Eyes At Me Little Lilly was oh! So silly and shy And all the…
Ma! Little Lilly was oh! So silly and shy And all the…
Ma! He's Making Eyes At Me Little Lilly was oh! So silly and shy And all the…
Shake It Lucy Baby Well, come on gal Let's rock this joint tonight Say, come …
Since I Met You Baby Since I met you baby My whole life has changed Since I…
Willie & the Hand Jive I know a cat named Way-Out Willie He got a cool…
Willie and the Hand Jive I know a cat named Way-Out Willie He got a cool…
Willy 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
More Genres
No Artists Found
More Artists
Load All
No Albums Found
More Albums
Load All
No Tracks Found
Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Search results not found
Song not found
@stevecochrane6948
Perfect…
@thefuzzgroove
excellent ! raw funk , real groove !
@artificalqphexian
Good ol' TISM
@mrnobodyz
☝🏼You can take foxes out the country, but you can’t take the country out of foxes!!!🦊
@maazvdo
Great ! Thanks for posting, groove addict .
@Toestubber
Play it, Shuggie.
@Tracks777
Lovely content! Keep it up!
@kevindore6120
Yeah jonny
@thefuzzgroove
mortel !
@shuunandaro1500
👍