Archive 1

Birth date and name

According to the California Birth Index and the 1930 census, Johnny was born John Alexander Otis. He was born on 29 December 1921 (not 28 December), the son of Alexander John Veliotes, a grocer from Greece and Irene Kiskakes, a housewife, also from Greece. He was probably called by his Greek name Yanna, but his actual name and the name on his birth registration is John Alexander after his father. His son, Shuggie, was born Johnny Alexander Veliotes. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.91.160.14 (talk) 06:56, 12 May 2008 (UTC)

Wow! No external references for sources of any kind!

I came here from Transracial. They said he was a Greek who posed as African American. Well, we need a picture of him! We also need sources because I google image searched him and I think there are duplicates of people with his name. Shorthair 16:33, 21 Jun 2005 (UTC)

The way I understand it, Johnny grew up in "ethnic" berkeley, hanging out mostly w/ african-americans, and gave up his membership in the privileged white race because of the abuse he saw around him. He identifies himself as african in the same way I have identified as native american (I'm 1/128 +/- cherokee). He deserves an article w/ broader scope by someone with more direct knowledge than myself. I have on tape a "retrospective" consisting of a few of his radio shows on KPFA. Perhaps I'll use these as a source to expand this article.

See new link to Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. His official site identifies his 'hood as predominately African American. Steve Pastor 22:02, 10 February 2007 (UTC)

Update

Added image. Added link. (Ibaranoff24 06:24, 9 March 2006 (UTC))

= Update

I corrected the location of Johnny's home. He lived and worked in Sebastopol. His radio show was broadcast from local restaurants. Johnny moved to Southern California a few years ago. I know this because I recorded and/or mixed Johnny's last 3 albums. The last project was "Food for Life" in 2001, which I believe to be his last recording. His health has deteriorated. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.123.180.242 (talk) 03:54, 7 December 2007 (UTC)

???

Johnny Otis was one of the most prominent white figures in the history of black R&B. Does this make anysense? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 70.105.252.11 (talk) 00:32, 28 January 2008 (UTC)

Untitled

I can't find any reference to Johnny Otis as the king of rock and roll, so I removed the assertion that he was known as such. I'd be happy to find out I didn't look hard enough. Trontonian

Timing of last radio show?

The article states it was August 19, 2006 whereas this article mentions 2005 (no specific date). http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20120119/WIRE/120119435/1350?p=all&tc=pgall Given the August 19th date lacks citation, should it be changed to 2005? Kevink707 (talk) 18:56, 19 January 2012 (UTC)

Willie and the Hand Jive

In case anyone isn't aware this major recording doesn't actually have an article of its own (the title redirects here). This should be rectified. 68.146.72.113 (talk) 21:35, 20 January 2012 (UTC)

Lede

As it is, the lede lists Otis as an "American singer, musician, talent scout, disc jockey, composer, arranger, recording artist, record producer, vibraphonist, drummer, percussionist, bandleader, impresario and pastor". That's thirteen job titles, and I think that might be a bit much. Does anyone think we could trim it by ten or so? Evanh2008, Super Genius Who am I? You can talk to me... 21:53, 20 January 2012 (UTC)

Radio Show

The radio show "The Johnny Otis Show" aired on other Pacifica radio stations besides KPFA, including KPFK in Los Angeles. Additionally, the show actually originated from Los Angeles for a long time (years, as I recall) and wasn't at all as described in this article. For example it was broadcast from the KPFK studios live on a weekday night (I think it was Wednesday) without any audience, and was known for opening its phones to listeners to play R&B requests. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Doranb (talkcontribs) 06:34, 20 January 2012 (UTC)

It was broadcast on Tuesday nights, right after a show about Asian issues, hosted by Mia Iwataki, (who also worked for Congressman Mervyn Dymally). It was my favorite show on KPFK. It started with R&B music from the '50s and '60s, then he would often spend the last part of the show talking with guests about R&B and other things. I wish I had a reference.—MiguelMunoz (talk) 06:07, 21 January 2012 (UTC)

Willie and the Hand Jive

In case anyone isn't aware this major recording doesn't actually have an article of its own (the title redirects here). This should be rectified. 68.146.72.113 (talk) 21:35, 20 January 2012 (UTC)

Lede

As it is, the lede lists Otis as an "American singer, musician, talent scout, disc jockey, composer, arranger, recording artist, record producer, vibraphonist, drummer, percussionist, bandleader, impresario and pastor". That's thirteen job titles, and I think that might be a bit much. Does anyone think we could trim it by ten or so? Evanh2008, Super Genius Who am I? You can talk to me... 21:53, 20 January 2012 (UTC)

Radio Show

The radio show "The Johnny Otis Show" aired on other Pacifica radio stations besides KPFA, including KPFK in Los Angeles. Additionally, the show actually originated from Los Angeles for a long time (years, as I recall) and wasn't at all as described in this article. For example it was broadcast from the KPFK studios live on a weekday night (I think it was Wednesday) without any audience, and was known for opening its phones to listeners to play R&B requests. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Doranb (talkcontribs) 06:34, 20 January 2012 (UTC)

It was broadcast on Tuesday nights, right after a show about Asian issues, hosted by Mia Iwataki, (who also worked for Congressman Mervyn Dymally). It was my favorite show on KPFK. It started with R&B music from the '50s and '60s, then he would often spend the last part of the show talking with guests about R&B and other things. I wish I had a reference.—MiguelMunoz (talk) 06:07, 21 January 2012 (UTC)

Willie and the Hand Jive

In case anyone isn't aware this major recording doesn't actually have an article of its own (the title redirects here). This should be rectified. 68.146.72.113 (talk) 21:35, 20 January 2012 (UTC)

Lede

As it is, the lede lists Otis as an "American singer, musician, talent scout, disc jockey, composer, arranger, recording artist, record producer, vibraphonist, drummer, percussionist, bandleader, impresario and pastor". That's thirteen job titles, and I think that might be a bit much. Does anyone think we could trim it by ten or so? Evanh2008, Super Genius Who am I? You can talk to me... 21:53, 20 January 2012 (UTC)

Willie and the Hand Jive

In case anyone isn't aware this major recording doesn't actually have an article of its own (the title redirects here). This should be rectified. 68.146.72.113 (talk) 21:35, 20 January 2012 (UTC)

Radio Show

The radio show "The Johnny Otis Show" aired on other Pacifica radio stations besides KPFA, including KPFK in Los Angeles. Additionally, the show actually originated from Los Angeles for a long time (years, as I recall) and wasn't at all as described in this article. For example it was broadcast from the KPFK studios live on a weekday night (I think it was Wednesday) without any audience, and was known for opening its phones to listeners to play R&B requests. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Doranb (talkcontribs) 06:34, 20 January 2012 (UTC)

It was broadcast on Tuesday nights, right after a show about Asian issues, hosted by Mia Iwataki, (who also worked for Congressman Mervyn Dymally). It was my favorite show on KPFK. It started with R&B music from the '50s and '60s, then he would often spend the last part of the show talking with guests about R&B and other things. I wish I had a reference.—MiguelMunoz (talk) 06:07, 21 January 2012 (UTC)
You're right, it was Tuesday night, just after East Wind. Doranb (talk) 23:31, 29 January 2012 (UTC)

Lede

As it is, the lede lists Otis as an "American singer, musician, talent scout, disc jockey, composer, arranger, recording artist, record producer, vibraphonist, drummer, percussionist, bandleader, impresario and pastor". That's thirteen job titles, and I think that might be a bit much. Does anyone think we could trim it by ten or so? Evanh2008, Super Genius Who am I? You can talk to me... 21:53, 20 January 2012 (UTC)

Well, "musician" would certainly cover "vibraphonist, drummer, percussionist" unless we want to keep them all there for their internal links. Doranb (talk) 23:34, 29 January 2012 (UTC)

Willie and the Hand Jive

In case anyone isn't aware this major recording doesn't actually have an article of its own (the title redirects here). This should be rectified. 68.146.72.113 (talk) 21:35, 20 January 2012 (UTC)

Radio Show

The radio show "The Johnny Otis Show" aired on other Pacifica radio stations besides KPFA, including KPFK in Los Angeles. Additionally, the show actually originated from Los Angeles for a long time (years, as I recall) and wasn't at all as described in this article. For example it was broadcast from the KPFK studios live on a weekday night (I think it was Wednesday) without any audience, and was known for opening its phones to listeners to play R&B requests. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Doranb (talkcontribs) 06:34, 20 January 2012 (UTC)

It was broadcast on Tuesday nights, right after a show about Asian issues, hosted by Mia Iwataki, (who also worked for Congressman Mervyn Dymally). It was my favorite show on KPFK. It started with R&B music from the '50s and '60s, then he would often spend the last part of the show talking with guests about R&B and other things. I wish I had a reference.—MiguelMunoz (talk) 06:07, 21 January 2012 (UTC)
You're right, it was Tuesday night, just after East Wind. Doranb (talk) 23:31, 29 January 2012 (UTC)

Lede

As it is, the lede lists Otis as an "American singer, musician, talent scout, disc jockey, composer, arranger, recording artist, record producer, vibraphonist, drummer, percussionist, bandleader, impresario and pastor". That's thirteen job titles, and I think that might be a bit much. Does anyone think we could trim it by ten or so? Evanh2008, Super Genius Who am I? You can talk to me... 21:53, 20 January 2012 (UTC)

Well, "musician" would certainly cover "vibraphonist, drummer, percussionist" unless we want to keep them all there for their internal links. Doranb (talk) 23:34, 29 January 2012 (UTC)

kpfk folio & kpfa folio

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What about Johnny's [illegit?] son "Jon Otis" who played with Andreas Vollenweider?

I played in a band with "Jon Otis" in Berkeley, CA in the 1970's and we all called him "Johnny Otis" and believed he was Johhny Otis' son. Now I guess he is not recognized probably because he was born out of wedlock.

The only info I could find online now is from a site that is currently "unavailable" Only this shows up in a google search:

> www.jonotis.com › about-jon.html ABOUT JON - Jon Otis Born Darrell Jon Otis on June 12th 1953 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Jon grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and has worked as a musician since the age of fifteen. From the late 60's he played with a wide variety of artists, groups, music, dance and theater projects.

SEE: https://www.discogs.com/artist/1497855-Jon-Otis-2

It is stated the "Jon Otis" is brother of Shuggie but not mentioned so far in this article.

Is this enough evidence to add a mention of Jon Otis to this article? If not, how would we go about fleshing things out to comply with standards here?

I don't understand the disconnect. Jon is a great musician and deserving of wider recognition. In any case history is history.

I'm new at the talk process here and don't want to fight with all the agressive "editors" or "admins" who seem to rule wikipedia and "revert" things ... but something is missing and I'd like to help. Vonuan (talk)

KTLA Television Show - 1960s - Worthy of Mentioning?

I believe there were several iterations of the show, most of which were on KTLA during the 1960s. He was a part of early television. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gj74qY-8aPk Anyone here able to create a definitive list? 69.113.156.243 (talk) 15:04, 6 November 2022 (UTC)