Here’s a rhythm and blues music quiz for you: What do R&B legends Little Esther, Wynonie Harris, Charlies Brown, Etta James, Big Mama Thornton and probably another dozen more all have in common? They were discovered and produced by Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famer Johnny Otis. Otis was also a TV star, arranger, civil rights activist and composer – including the enduring smash hit, “Willie and the Hand Jive.”
Oh, and one other thing, guitar legend Shuggie Otis is his son.
Johnny Otis had an extraordinary ear for great music and dabbled in every kind, not just soul and R&B. He even produced one of my favorite gospel 45s – “He’s Like a Shelter” by the Rev. Louis Carter and the Carter Singers. Released in 1978 on the obscure Gospel Tone label, “He’s Like a Shelter” sounds like a smash, a mixture of Stephen Stills and Mavis Staples – but with a gospel quartet.
Alas, Otis never returned to gospel and the Rev. Louis disappears from view after this – but what a legacy!
MUSIC: “He’s Like a Shelter,” 45, Rev. Louis Carter and the Carter Singers
I’m Robert Darden … “Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments” is produced by KWBU, the Black Gospel Music Restoration Project at Baylor University Libraries and is funded by generous support from the Prichard Foundation.