This is very sad....I mean , yes , he lived a long , full life and had a career that showed no signs of slowing , but , Rock'n'Roll , Rhythm 'n' Blues , Call it Your mammy if you want , has lost one of it's oldest and dearest friends.... He made it his lifetime ambition to promote the music , and the many great artists that passed through it's ranks. Someone called him , outside of John Brown , one of the least racist White men in history. He worked with Black Singers and Musicians LONG before it was acceptable , and in many quarters , even legal , to do so , necessitating his efforts to pass for a light - skinned Black man , at times.
But , of course , today , his music is still loved , and the later concert revues he put on were still barn - burners. I saw one such show , some 20 years ago , when Otis shared a bill at the now - cornball Chicago Bluesfest (A friend would tell you not to bother with it , anymore. I'm your friend , don't bother.) with Jimmy McGriff and Hank Crawford. The only Johnny Otis Orchestra classic his latter day aggregation performed was "Willie and The Handjive" , but , make no mistake , they tore that sucker OUT. Johnny's Son , cult hero , and , briefly , member of Arthur Lee and Love , Shuggie Otis , filled the air with tasty and tasteful Blues Guitar leads (This was before his comeback bid.). IT WAS NOTHING IF NOT HIGH ENERGY AND HIGHLY ENTERTAINING.
Johnny met Alan Freed again , today. And , I'm about to tell you what the man had to say......
" HIT THAT JIVE , JACK . PUT IT IN YOUR POCKET TIL I GET BACK. I'M GOING DOWNTOWN TO SEE A MAN. I AIN'T GOT TIME TO SHAKE YOUR HAND ! ".
Rockin' in Heaven . REST , LIKE HELL !
