Person · Male

Johnny Otis

From
Vallejo, United States
Active
1921–2012
Releases
20
  • r&b
  • rock
  • rock and roll

About

Johnny Otis (December 28, 1921 – January 17, 2012), born Ioannis Alexandres Veliotes, was an American singer, musician, composer, bandleader, record producer, talent scout, and preacher. He was a seminal influence on American R&B and rock and roll. He discovered numerous artists early in their careers who went on to become highly successful in their own right, including Little Esther Phillips, Etta James, Alan O'Day, Big Mama Thornton, Johnny Ace, Jackie Wilson, Little Willie John, Hank Ballard, The Robins, and Sugar Pie DeSanto, among many others. Otis has been called the "Godfather of Rhythm and Blues".

From Johnny Otis on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Member of

Discography

Albums 2
Singles 2
Compilations 15
Other 1

Links

Parent

Also known as

Ioannis Alexandres Veliotes · Kansas City Bill · Otis

Identifiers

ISNI
0000000059380774
IPI
00023126038

Data from MusicBrainz, saved 11 Nov 2026. Photo from Wikimedia Commons, covers from the Cover Art Archive and Apple Music.