Auckland Blues Club

Born Ioannis Alexandres Veliotes, Johnny Otis died at age 91 at his home in the Los Angeles suburb of Altadena, on January 17, 2012, after years of decreasing health.
Born on December 28, 1921 he began his musical career in 1939 as a drummer with Count Otis Matthew's West Oakland House Rockers.
By 1945 he was leading his own band, and had his first big hit that year with "Harlem Nocturne".
In 1950 he had ten songs that made the Top 10 on Billboard Magazine's Best Selling Retail Rhythm & Blues Records list.

His early radio broadcast success led to a weekly variety show on television.
"The Johnny Otis Show" was on TV in Los Angeles for eight years.

Johnny Otis discovered many legendary Rhythm and Blues singers such as Esther Phillips, Willie Mae "Big Momma" Thornton, Etta James, the Coasters, Sugar Pie DeSanto, Hank Ballard and Jackie Wilson.
He produced and played on the original recording of "Hound Dog" with "Big Momma" Thornton.
Johnny has been inducted into the Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame, into the Blues Hall of Fame and into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.