Capital Public Radio

Roots of R&B: Pioneering musician/record producer Johnny Otis

Otis, who died in 2012, started out leading a big band. Later, as a talent scout, he discovered such performers as Big Mama Thornton, Esther Phillips and Etta James. Originally broadcast in 1989. This ...
NPR

Roots of R&B: Johnny Otis & Etta James

All week we're revisiting archival interviews with key figures in early rock and roll, rockabilly and R&B. Singer, songwriter, producer and talent scout Johnny Otis got his start leading a big band ...
WUWM

Roots of R&B: Pioneering musician/record producer Johnny Otis

Otis had several R&B hits in the early '50s, and in 1958, his record "Willie And The Hand Jive" made it to the top 10 of the rock 'n' roll chart. Although Otis is a pioneer of R&B and played almost ...
WLRN

Roots of R&B: Pioneering musician/record producer Johnny Otis

This is FRESH AIR. I'm Terry Gross. Today, we continue our archive series R&B, rockabilly and early rock 'n' roll. Before Elvis Presley recorded "Hound Dog," it was recorded by Big Mama Thornton. The ...
WWNO

Roots of R&B: Pioneering musician/record producer Johnny Otis

Otis, who died in 2012, started out leading a big band. Later, as a talent scout, he discovered such performers as Big Mama Thornton, Esther Phillips and Etta James. Originally broadcast in 1989.