As many people may well have heard – last week saw the death of legendary Blues Singer, Etta James whose unique voice, musical achievements and legacy are immense. She is still inspiring and influencing the performers of today.
The legendary producer Jerry Wexler called her "the greatest of modern blues singers . . . the undisputed Earth Mother." In later life Etta became a paragon of authenticity to a younger generation, a role model for female vocalists averse to lip-synching or Auto-Tuning in an overly processed digital age.
However, a little less well publicised was the death of a certain Johnny Otis: “a walking lesson in race relations” (Joel Selvin, San Francisco Chronicle). His contribution towards and legacy left for Rhythm & Blues music is said by some to be unsurpassed! Also known by various titles including the “Godfather Of Rhythm & Blues” and “The White Evangelist For Black Music” he more than ignored the polarised, divided society he lived in – his work brought people together, increased acknowledgement of Black musicians and of course gave us some of the greatest music enjoyed by all people!
It seems only right therefore that Tuesday’s Rhythm & blues show is dedicated almost in it’s entirety to these great pioneers, and in the case of Johnny Otis to some of the artists with whom he worked.
A couple of links for ‘starters’
Johnny Otis had a remarkable life, in and out of music – http://thechronicleherald.ca/artslife/54600-johnny-otis-had-remarkable-life-and-out-music
Etta James, R&B singer, dies – http://www.philly.com/philly/obituaries/137834098.html
