Otis Blackwell (February 16, 1931 – May 6, 2002) was an American songwriter whose work influenced Rock and Roll, R & B and Pop Music. It is surprising that he is not more widely known, because his catalogue of songs are played and song on every radio, tv and streaming service. Checkout the following illustrious list.
“Fever”
“Great Balls of Fire”
“Breathless”
“Don’t Be Cruel”,
“All Shook Up”,
“Return to Sender”
“Handy Man”
Otis often collaborated with such partners as Winfield Scott, Eddie Cooley, and Jack Hammer. Blackwell was one of the most important innovators who helped invent the musical vocabulary of rock and roll at its very beginning.
His works have been recorded by a host of major artists, including Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Ray Charles, Otis Redding, James Brown, The Who, Johnny Thunders, Billy Joel, James Taylor, Dolly Parton, Conway Twitty, the Judds, Carl Perkins, Lonnie Lee, and Peggy Lee, among numerous others.
At other times in his career, Blackwell was also successful as a record producer, having helped turn out hits for artists as diverse as Connie Francis, Mahalia Jackson, and Sal Mineo.
Watch his story here.
It is the desire of Black Economics to follow this trail to see if Otis got his dues while alive, and if is family are also benefiting from his legacy. With the sabotage of black talent which happened in the music industry from the start of recorded music – we can only imagine the worse.
