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Otis Blackwell
Also known as John Davenport
Born February 16, 1931
Origin Brooklyn, New York, USA
Died May 6, 2000 (aged 69)
Nashville, Tennessee
Genre(s) East Coast Blues, Rock & Roll, R&B
Occupation(s) Singer, Pianist, Songwriter
Instrument(s) Piano
Years active 1950s - 2002
Label(s) RCA, Groove, Atlantic

Otis Blackwell (16 February 1931 – 6 May 2002) was an American songwriter, singer, and pianist whose work significantly influenced rock 'n' roll. Events 1249 - Andrew of Longjumeau is dispatched by Louis IX of France as his ambassador to meet with the Khan of the Mongols Year 1931 ( MCMXXXI) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1931 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Brooklyn (named after the Dutch town Breukelen) is one of the five boroughs of New York City. Events 1527 - Spanish and German troops sack Rome; some consider this the end of the Renaissance. 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. A music genre is a categorical and typological construct that identifies musical sounds as belonging to a particular category and type of music that can be distinguished from other Rock and roll (also known as rock 'n' roll) is a form of Music that evolved in the United States in the late 1940s and early 1950s with roots in mostly African A pianist (/'piənɪst/ is a Musician who plays the Piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces play with an ensemble or Orchestra A songwriter is someone who writes the Lyrics to songs the Musical composition (chords or Melody to songs or both A musical instrument is a device constructed or modified for the purpose of making Music. The piano is a Musical instrument played by means of a keyboard that produces sound by striking steel strings with Felt covered hammers Year 1950 ( MCML) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. In the Music industry, a record label can be a Brand and a Trademark associated with the Marketing of music recordings and Music RCA Records (originally The Victor Talking Machine Company, then RCA Victor is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. Groove Records (subsidiary of RCA) was founded by Billboard reporter Bob Rolontz in 1953 as a Rhythm and blues label Atlantic Records ( Atlantic Recording Corporation) is an American Record label best known for its many recordings of Rhythm & blues, Rock Events 1249 - Andrew of Longjumeau is dispatched by Louis IX of France as his ambassador to meet with the Khan of the Mongols Year 1931 ( MCMXXXI) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1931 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1527 - Spanish and German troops sack Rome; some consider this the end of the Renaissance. See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the A songwriter is someone who writes the Lyrics to songs the Musical composition (chords or Melody to songs or both A pianist (/'piənɪst/ is a Musician who plays the Piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces play with an ensemble or Orchestra Rock and roll (also known as rock 'n' roll) is a form of Music that evolved in the United States in the late 1940s and early 1950s with roots in mostly African His compositions include Little Willie John's "Fever", Jerry Lee Lewis' "Great Balls of Fire" and "Breathless", Elvis Presley's "Don't Be Cruel", "All Shook Up" and "Return to Sender" (with Winfield Scott), and Jimmy Jones' "Handy Man". Little Willie John ( November 15, 1937 – May 26, 1968) was an American R&B singer of the 1950s and early 1960s best known for " Fever " is a Song credited to Eddie Cooley and "John Davenport" (a pseudonym for Otis Blackwell) Jerry Lee Lewis (born September 29, 1935) is an American Rock and roll and Country music Singer, Songwriter " Great Balls of Fire " is a 1957 Song written by Otis Blackwell and Jack Hammer For the Bobby Brown album see Don't Be Cruel (album. " Don't Be Cruel " is a song by Otis Blackwell, which was recorded " All Shook Up " is one of the many hit songs of Elvis Presley. " Return to Sender " is a 1962 Rock and roll hit single by American singer Elvis Presley. Winfield Scott ( June 13, 1786 &ndash May 29, 1866) was a United States Army general Diplomat, and presidential candidate Jimmy Jones may refer to Horace A Jones (1906&ndash2001 - American Hall of Fame horse trainer Jimmy Jones (pianist - American jazz "Handy Man" is a Rock 'n' roll song credited to singer Jimmy Jones and songwriter Otis Blackwell. [1] He should not be confused with another songwriter and producer Robert "Bumps" Blackwell. Robert Alexander (Bumps Blackwell (23 May 1922 - 9 March 1985 was an American Songwriter, arranger and Record producer best known for his work overseeing the

Contents

Biography

Otis Blackwell was born in Brooklyn, New York, and died in Nashville, Tennessee. Brooklyn (named after the Dutch town Breukelen) is one of the five boroughs of New York City. He learned piano as a child and grew up listening to both R&B and Country music.

He first became famous by winning a local talent contest ("Amateur Night") at the Apollo Theater, Harlem, New York in 1952,[2] led to a recording contract with RCA and then with Jay-Dee. Harlem is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Manhattan, long known as a major African American cultural and business center Year 1952 ( MCMLII) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. His first release was his own composition "Daddy Rolling Stone" which became a favorite in Jamaica where it was recorded by Derek Martin. " Anyway Anyhow Anywhere " was a single released by The Who in 1965 Jamaica (ˈdʒəˈmeɪkə} is an Island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length and as much as in width situated in the Caribbean Sea. The song later became part of The Who's "Mod" repertoire. The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964. The primary lineup consisted of guitarist Pete Townshend Mod (originally modernist, sometimes capitalised is a Subculture that originated in London in the late 1950s and peaked in the early to mid 1960s Enjoying some early recording and performing success, he found his first love was songwriting and by 1955 had settled into the groove that he would ride for decades. Year 1955 ( MCMLV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1955 Gregorian calendar) [3] His first successes came in 1956 when Little Willie John's R&B hit with the sultry "Fever" was an even bigger pop success for Peggy Lee. Little Willie John ( November 15, 1937 – May 26, 1968) was an American R&B singer of the 1950s and early 1960s best known for " Fever " is a Song credited to Eddie Cooley and "John Davenport" (a pseudonym for Otis Blackwell) Peggy Lee ( May 26, 1920 – January 21, 2002) was an American Jazz and popular music singer and Songwriter Then, "All Shook Up" (first recorded by David Hill on Aladdin) began a highly profitable association with Elvis Presley, who was credited as co-writer. " All Shook Up " is one of the many hit songs of Elvis Presley. There was a distinct similarity between Blackwell's vocal style and Presley's, which has led to speculation that Elvis adopted some of his songwriter's mannerisms. [4] From 1956 through the early 1960s, they fed off each other's talent, sharing a close musical affinity and, more incredibly, a vocal style so similar as to be eerie. Year 1956 ( MCMLVI) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The 1960s decade refers to the years from the beginning of 1960 to the end of 1969 "If you compare the demos with the records, you'll see that Presley's voice were practically an exact copy. "[5]

Blackwell was one of the leading figures of early rock 'n' roll, although he was not well known by the public. His own records never cracked the Top 40, yet he wrote million-selling songs for Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Dee Clark and others. The Top Forty or Top 40 is a music industry shorthand for the currently most-popular songs in a particular genre. Jerry Lee Lewis (born September 29, 1935) is an American Rock and roll and Country music Singer, Songwriter Dee Clark ( 7 November 1938 —- 7 December 1990) was an African-American soul Singer best known for a string He also recruited other songwriters to write for Presley such as Winfield Scott. Winfield Scott (also known as Robie Kirk) was a songwriter who wrote the hit songs " Tweedle Dee " for LaVern Baker and " Return to Sender [6]

From the the jacket liner notes of the Elvis' Golden Records (1958) Anne Fulchino from Radio Corporation of America wrote:

"While sipping coffee, Steve Sholes pulled out a demonstration record of "Don't Be Cruel" and told Elvis it was a new song written by Otis Blackwell, whom Elvis had long admired as a rhythm and blues artist. For a bibliographic format for citing liner notes see WikipediaCiting sources/example style Liner notes (also sleeve notes or album notes Elvis' Golden Records is the fifth album by Elvis Presley issued on RCA Records, LPM 1707 in March 1958 recorded mostly at Radio Recorders RCA Corporation, founded as Radio Corporation of America, was an electronics company in existence from 1919 to 1986 For the Bobby Brown album see Don't Be Cruel (album. " Don't Be Cruel " is a song by Otis Blackwell, which was recorded It took just a few bars to convince Presley that it was a perfect song for him, and he decided to cut it right away. Presley learned the song within minutes--he has an inherent musical sense--and in short order a great master was put on tape.
It isn't often that the title of a song will create a whole new expression in Americana. "All Shook Up" did exactly that. " All Shook Up " is one of the many hit songs of Elvis Presley. Youngsters and adults alike have made the phrase a common part of everyday usage. The background to the song itself is a rather interesting one. Since the huge success of "Don't Be Cruel", Elvis had been anxious to record another song from the pen of Otis Blackwell. For the Bobby Brown album see Don't Be Cruel (album. " Don't Be Cruel " is a song by Otis Blackwell, which was recorded Eventually, Blackwell came around with "All Shook Up. " All Shook Up " is one of the many hit songs of Elvis Presley. " Presley wasn't completely satisfied with the song, and with Blackwell's consent re-wrote part of the lyrics. Thus, as co-writer as well as artist, Presley produced his ninth consecutive gold record, his first in the year 1957. "

During an appearance on "Late Night with David Letterman," Blackwell said he'd never met Presley in person. Late Night with David Letterman was a nightly hour-long comedy Talk show on NBC hosted by David Letterman. When he was having a contract dispute with his publishing company, he also wrote under the white-sounding pen-name of "John Davenport",[2] Throughout his lifetime, Blackwell composed more than a thousand songs, garnering worldwide sales of close to 200 million records. A pen name, nom de plume, or literary double, is a Pseudonym adopted by an Author or their publishers to conceal their identity [7] Colonel Tom Parker, manager of Elvis asked Otis to appear in the Presley movie Girls! Girls! Girls!, for which he had written "Return to Sender," but the superstition about meeting Elvis kept him from accepting. "Colonel" Tom Parker (born Andreas Cornelis (Dries van Kuijk on June 26, 1909 &ndash January 21, 1997) was Girls! Girls! Girls! is a 1962 musical comedy film starring Elvis Presley as a penniless Fisherman who loves his life on the " Return to Sender " is a 1962 Rock and roll hit single by American singer Elvis Presley. [8]

Many of the songs Blackwell wrote also listed the recording artist and others as co-writers. This was the prevailing practise at the time, because the only royalties an artist could be sure of receiving was those from song-writing. Royalties (sometimes running royalties) are usage-based payments made by one party (the "licensee" to another (the "licensor" for ongoing use of an That was the price a writer paid for having top-selling talent record their work. As the tide of rock 'n' roll receded, Blackwell recorded R&B material for numerous labels including Atlantic, MGM and Epic. In later years he was in semi-retirement, making only occasional live appearances. Otis Blackwell is the grandfather of New York socialite Torian Brown. New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous

In 1991, Blackwell was left paralyzed by a stroke. Three years later, Shanachie released Brace Yourself! A Tribute to Otis Blackwell. The album features 15 Blackwell-penned tracks recorded by the likes of Kris Kristofferson ("All Shook Up), Blondie's Debbie Harry ("Don't Be Cruel"), The Smithereens ("Let's Talk About Us"), Graham Parker ("Paralyzed"), and Ronnie Spector ("Brace Yourself"). Deborah Ann "Debbie" Harry (born July 1 1945 is an American Singer-songwriter and Actress, most famous for being the lead singer for the Punk For the Bobby Brown album see Don't Be Cruel (album. " Don't Be Cruel " is a song by Otis Blackwell, which was recorded The Smithereens are a Rock band from Carteret, New Jersey, United States. Graham Parker (born 18 November 1950 in London, England is a British rock Singer and Songwriter. Ronnie Spector (born Veronica Yvette Bennett on 10 August 1943 in New York New York) is an American musician and was the lead [9] Otis Blackwell died in 2002 of a heart attack and was interred in Woodlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Nashville, Tennessee. Woodlawn Memorial Park Cemetery is located at 660 Thompson Lane in Nashville, Tennessee. [10]

Personal Quote

"I wrote my songs, I got my money and I boogied. "[11]

Awards and recognitions

Otis Blackwell was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1986 and in 1991 into the National Academy of Popular Music's Songwriters Hall of Fame. The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame was established by the Nashville Songwriters Foundation Inc The Songwriters Hall of Fame is an arm of the National Academy of Popular Music. [2] Blackwell's crowning moment came in the late 1980s when the Black Rock Coalition, a prominent organization of black rock musicians, led by Vernon Reid, the lead guitarist of the band, Living Colour, held a tribute for him at the Prospect Park Bandshell in his native Brooklyn. The 1980s was the decade spanning from January 1 1980 to December 31 1989. The Black Rock Coalition is a US-based artists' Collective and Non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the creative freedom and works of black Vernon Reid (born August 22, 1958) is an English Guitarist, Songwriter, composer and bandleader Living Colour is an American Funk metal band from New York City, formed in 1983 Brooklyn (named after the Dutch town Breukelen) is one of the five boroughs of New York City. Many prominent musicians and singers took part including Blackwell himself, who performed an assortment of his best songs, including "One Broken Heart for Sale," "Black Trail," "Don't Be Cruel" and "Daddy Rolling Stone. For the Bobby Brown album see Don't Be Cruel (album. " Don't Be Cruel " is a song by Otis Blackwell, which was recorded " Anyway Anyhow Anywhere " was a single released by The Who in 1965 "

Legacy

Otis Blackwell was one of the greatest R&B songwriters of all time. [12] His songwriting style is as uniquely indentifiable as that of Leiber and Stoller, Chuck Berry, or Willie Dixon and helped redefine popular music in America in the 1950s. Jerome "Jerry" Leiber (born April 25, 1933) and Mike Stoller (born March 13, 1933) are among the most influential Charles Edward Anderson "Chuck" Berry (born October 18 1926 in St William James "Willie" Dixon ( July 1, 1915 &ndash January 29, 1992) was a well-known American Blues Bassist The 1950s Decade refers to the years of 1950 to 1959 inclusive [7] This is true even though he often collaborated with such partners as Winfield Scott, Eddie Cooley, and Jack Hammer. Winfield Scott ( June 13, 1786 &ndash May 29, 1866) was a United States Army general Diplomat, and presidential candidate Blackwell was one of the most important innovators who helped invent the musical vocabulary of rock & roll at its very beginning. [1] Blackwell's works have been recorded into immortality by a host of other major figures in the record field, including Jerry Lee Lewis, Ray Charles, Otis Redding, James Brown, The Who, Billy Joel, James Taylor, Dolly Parton, Conway Twitty, The Judds, Carl Perkins and Peggy Lee, among numerous others. Jerry Lee Lewis (born September 29, 1935) is an American Rock and roll and Country music Singer, Songwriter Ray Charles Robinson ( September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004) known by his Stage name Ray Charles, was an American Otis Ray Redding Jr ( September 9, 1941 December 10, 1967) was an American soul singer James Joseph Brown Jr (May 3 1933 – December 25 2006 commonly referred to as "The Godfather of Soul" the "King of Funk" and "The The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964. The primary lineup consisted of guitarist Pete Townshend William Martin Joel (born May 9 1949 is an American Pianist and Singer-songwriter. James Vernon Taylor (born March 12, 1948) is an American Singer-songwriter and Guitarist, born in Boston, Massachusetts Dolly Rebecca Parton (born January 19, 1946) is an American Country music Singer / Songwriter, Author, actress Conway Twitty (born Harold Lloyd Jenkins, September 1 1933; died June 5 1993) was one of the United States ' most successful The Judds were a Grammy Award -winning American Country music duo composed of Naomi Judd and her daughter Wynonna. Carl Lee Perkins ( April 9, 1932 &ndash January 19, 1998) was an American pioneer of Rockabilly music a mix of Rhythm Peggy Lee ( May 26, 1920 – January 21, 2002) was an American Jazz and popular music singer and Songwriter At other times in his career, Blackwell has also been successful as a record producer, having helped turn out hits with artists as diverse as Connie Francis, Mahalia Jackson and Sal Mineo. Connie Francis (born December 12, 1938 in Newark New Jersey) is an American Pop singer best known for international hit songs Mahalia Jackson (October 26 1911 In 1929 Jackson met the composer Thomas A Salvatore "Sal" Mineo Jr ( January 10, 1939 – February 12, 1976) was a Golden Globe -winning American [13]

Songs

Songs he composed, with the performer who made them famous, include:

Selective discography

Year Title Genre Label
2005 1952-1954 Blues, Rock & Roll, R&B Classics R&B
1978 These Are My Songs Blues, Rock & Roll, R&B Inner City
1955 Otis Blackwell 1953-55 Blues, Rock & Roll, R&B Flyright

Notes

  1. ^ a b Otis Blackwell - Biography. " Great Balls of Fire " is a 1957 Song written by Otis Blackwell and Jack Hammer Jerry Lee Lewis (born September 29, 1935) is an American Rock and roll and Country music Singer, Songwriter The Grammy Hall of Fame Award is a special Grammy award established in 1973 to honor recordings that are at least twenty-five years old and that have "qualitative Jerry Lee Lewis (born September 29, 1935) is an American Rock and roll and Country music Singer, Songwriter Dee Clark ( 7 November 1938 —- 7 December 1990) was an African-American soul Singer best known for a string "Handy Man" is a Rock 'n' roll song credited to singer Jimmy Jones and songwriter Otis Blackwell. Jimmy Jones (born 2 June 1937, Birmingham, Alabama) is an African American, Singer/songwriter who moved to New York For Dell Shannon, the pen name of a police procedural novelist see Elizabeth Linington. James Vernon Taylor (born March 12, 1948) is an American Singer-songwriter and Guitarist, born in Boston, Massachusetts " Return to Sender " is a 1962 Rock and roll hit single by American singer Elvis Presley. allmusic. Retrieved on 2006-11-20. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 284 - Diocletian was chosen as Roman Emperor. 762 - Bögü Khan of the Uyghurs,
  2. ^ a b c Otis Blackwell (1931-2002). Spectropop. Retrieved on 2006-11-20. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 284 - Diocletian was chosen as Roman Emperor. 762 - Bögü Khan of the Uyghurs,
  3. ^ Trager, Oliver. Keys to the Rain: The Definitive Bob Dylan Encyclopedia, Billboard Books (2004), page 700 - ISBN 0823079740
  4. ^ Larkin, Colin. The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music, Guinness (1995), page 432 - ISBN 1561591769
  5. ^ Giddins, Gary. Riding on a Blue Note: Jazz and American, Da Capo Press (2000), page 29 - ISBN 0306809249
  6. ^ Winfield Scott. Retrieved on 2006-11-20. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 284 - Diocletian was chosen as Roman Emperor. 762 - Bögü Khan of the Uyghurs,
  7. ^ a b Otis Blackwell - Biography. Songwriters Hall of Fame. Retrieved on 2006-11-20. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 284 - Diocletian was chosen as Roman Emperor. 762 - Bögü Khan of the Uyghurs,
  8. ^ Giddins, Gary. Riding on a Blue Note: Jazz and American, Da Capo Press (2000), page 37
  9. ^ Billboard: Songwriter Otis Blackwell Dies
  10. ^ Find a Grave: Otis Blackwell
  11. ^ Trager, Oliver. Keys to the Rain: The Definitive Bob Dylan Encyclopedia (2004), page 701
  12. ^ Holly George-Warren &, Anthony Decurtis (Eds. ) (1976). The RollingStone Illustrated History of Rock & Roll, 3rd Edition, New York: Random House, p. 27. ISBN 0679737286.  
  13. ^ Song Writers Hall Of Fame info

External links

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