"Johnny Otis, the "godfather of rhythm and blues" who wrote and recorded "Willie and the Hand Jive" has died at the age of 90.
His manager told the Associated Press that Otis died at his Los Angeles home and had been in poor health for years.
Throughout his career, the musician and songwriter brought black music to white audiences as a bandleader and radio host. Otis was born John Veliotes to Greek immigrants and grew up in the black section of Berkeley where he said he identified far more with black culture than his own. He changed his name to Johnny Otis as a "
ALEXANDER LANGUAGE SCHOOLS
His manager told the Associated Press that Otis died at his Los Angeles home and had been in poor health for years.
Throughout his career, the musician and songwriter brought black music to white audiences as a bandleader and radio host. Otis was born John Veliotes to Greek immigrants and grew up in the black section of Berkeley where he said he identified far more with black culture than his own. He changed his name to Johnny Otis as a "
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