DESCRIPTION:
Johnny Otis, one of the pioneers of rhythm and blues, said he always wanted to be black. And for most people who heard his music, they though he was. He discovered and worked with some of the early great R & B vocalists who would lay the foundation for rock and roll. Otis produced Big Mama Thornton's original recording of "Hound Dog", which Elvis Presley would later re-record to help launch his career. I did this profile piece on Otis for the Today Show back in 1983.