Johnny Otis

American bandleader, musician, talent scout, author & label owner.
Born December 28, 1921 Vallejo, California, USA.
Died January 17, 2012 Alta Dena, California, USA.
Father of guitarist Shuggie Otis & drummer.
Otis founded the Ultra Records (opens in a new tab) label in 1956 along with Frank Gallo, Eddie Mesner and Leo Mesner. When they discovered another label by that name already existed they changed the name of the label to Dig Records. In 1960 Otis founded the Eldo records label.
Otis was involved in virtually every aspect of the music business. He helped to shape the R&B genre starting in the late 1940s and stayed involved in it for over 30 years. He had his own music variety show from 1954-5, The Johnny Otis Show.
He played many instruments, going with ease on stage from the piano to the vibraphone to the drums to the guitar and more.
He was inducted into Rock And Roll Hall of Fame in 1994 (Non-Performer).