Johnny Otis facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Johnny Otis
Background information
Birth name	Ioannis Alexandres Veliotes
Born	(1921-12-28)December 28, 1921 Vallejo, California, U.S.
Died	January 17, 2012(2012-01-17) (aged 90) Los Angeles, California
Genres	Rhythm and blues
Instruments	Piano vibraphone drums percussion vocals
Years active	1940s–2000s

Johnny Otis (born Ioannis Alexandres Veliotes; December 28, 1921 – January 17, 2012) was an American singer, musician, composer, arranger, bandleader, talent scout, disc jockey, record producer, television show host, artist, author, journalist, minister, and impresario. 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, Big Mama Thornton, Johnny Ace, Jackie Wilson, Little Willie John, Hank Ballard, and The Robins (who eventually changed their name to The Coasters), among many others. Otis has been called the "Godfather of Rhythm and Blues".