Search the Fresh Air Archive

Close Search

Rhythm and Blues Pioneer Johnny Otis.

Bandleader, singer, songwriter, and talent scout Johnny Otis. His musical career spans the big band era, rhythm and blues, and rock and roll. In the 40's he played and traveled with the big bands, with the Ink Spots and Louis Jordan. Later, with a pared down band, he was on the forefront of the rhythm and blues. He's credited with discovering Etta James, Big Mama Thornton, Jackie Wilson and Ernestine Anderson. His songwriting hits include "Willie and the Hand Jive," "Roll with Me Henry," and "Every Beat of My Heart." A collection of his work was recently reissued on Capitol Records. (Rebroadcast. Original date 11/21/89).

23:21
Queue

Guest

Host

Related Topics

Other segments from the episode on May 7, 1990

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, May 7, 1990: Interview with Johnny Otis; Review of Cassandra Wilson's album "Jumpworld"; Interview with Sue Miller; Review of the television show "The Story Behind the…
Queue
10:24

Novelist Sue Miller.

Novelist Sue Miller. She wrote the best-seller, "The Good Mother," which was made into a movie starring Diane Keaton. She has a new novel, called "Family Pictures." It's about a family coping with an autistic child. (It's published by Harper and Row).

Interview
Queue
03:33

"The Story Behind the Story" Is Missing Critical Pieces.

Television critic David Bianculli previews the new NBC show, "The Story Behind the Story." The program will look at well-known events from little-explored angles. Planned features include a look at who else was on Ed Sullivan the night the Beatles premiered, and a profile of Abe Zapruder, the man who filmed John Kennedy's assassination.

Review

Transcript

Transcript currently not available.

Transcripts are created on a rush deadline, and accuracy and availability may vary. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Please be aware that the authoritative record of Fresh Air interviews and reviews are the audio recordings of each segment.

You May Also like

Queue
22:22

Rhythm and Blues Pioneer Johnny Otis.

Bandleader, singer, songwriter, and talent scout Johnny Otis. His musical career spans the big band era, rhythm and blues, and rock and roll. In the 40's he played and traveled with the big bands, with the Ink Spots and Louis Jordan. Later, with a pared down band, he was on the forefront of the rhythm and blues. He's credited with discovering Etta James, Big Mama Thornton, Jackie Wilson and Ernestine Anderson.

Interview

Did you know you can create a shareable playlist?

Learn How
Advertisement

There are more than 22,000 Fresh Air segments.

Let us help you find exactly what you want to hear.
Just play me something
Your Queue

Would you like to make a playlist based on your queue?

Generate & Share View/Edit Your Queue