US News
R&B pioneer Johnny Otis dies
Jan 19, 2012, 18:12 GMT
Los Angeles - The Godfather of rhythm and blues, Johnny Otis, who led the crossover of black music into mainstream culture, has died at the age of 90, the Los Angeles Times reported Thursday.
Otis died on Tuesday in Los Angeles, 17 years after his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the report said.
Born Ioannis Alexandres Veliotes to a family of Greek immigrants in 1921, he grew up in Berkeley, northern California where his father owned a grocery store in a black neighbourhood.
He decided early on that he wanted to live in black society and after forming his own band in 1945 he had major hits in the big band era and started promoting promising black musicians.
Among the artists he took under his wing were Etta James, Jackie Wilson, and Little Richard.
'Yes, I chose,' Otis told The Times in 1979, 'because despite all the hardships, there's a wonderful richness in black culture that I prefer.'
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