Clyde Lovern Otis(September 11, 1924 – January 8, 2008) was an American songwriter and record producer, best known for his collaboration with singerBrook Benton,and for being one of the firstAfrican-AmericanA&Rexecutives at a major label.[1]
Clyde Otis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | September 11, 1924 Prentiss,Mississippi,United States |
| Died | January 8, 2008(aged 83) Englewood,New Jersey,United States |
| Occupation(s) | Songwriter,record producer,A&R executive |
According to themusic licensingorganizationBroadcast Music, Inc.,Otis is credited as the writer or co-writer of almost 800 songs.[1]
Early career
editAfter serving in the Marines duringWorld War II,Otis moved toNew York Cityand inspired by fellow MarineBobby Troup,best known for "Route 66",began writing songs. Otis' first success wasNat King Cole's recording of his song "That's All There Is to That",which reached theBillboardTop 20 in 1956.
A&R executive
editOn joiningMercury Recordsas director ofA&Rin 1958,[1]Otis began writing and producing material for Brook Benton. This collaboration led to "It's Just a Matter of Time","Endlessly","So Many Ways","Kiddio"and thenovelty song,"The Boll Weevil Song".
Otis also produced a number of duets between Benton andDinah Washington,among them "Baby (You've Got What It Takes)"and"A Rockin' Good Way (To Mess Around and Fall in Love)";he worked on Washington's solo efforts, as well, most notably the classic"What a Difference a Day Makes"and"This Bitter Earth".
Otis also produced hits forSarah Vaughan( "Broken-Hearted Melody"),Timi Yuro( "Hurt") andThe Diamonds( "The Stroll"), which he also co-wrote. In 1962 Otis produced 33 of Mercury's 51 chart hits.[2]
Clyde Otis Music Group
editUpon leaving the label, he briefly worked atLiberty Recordsbefore founding his own publishing firm, the Clyde Otis Music Group, and moving into independent production. Relocating toNashville, Tennessee,Otis produced sessions for country singersCharlie RichandSonny James.His songs have also been recorded byElvis Presley,Aretha Franklin,Johnny Mathis,andPatti Page.In the late 1970s, he collaborated again with Brook Benton on several albums for various labels.
Awards
editWinner of aGrammy Awardin 1994 for producingNatalie Cole's "Take a Look",[3]Otis was given a Pioneer Award by theRhythm and Blues Foundationin 2000.
Personal life
editHe lived inEnglewood, New Jersey,for over 40 years, and died there on January 8, 2008. He was survived by his wife, Lourdes; two sons, Isidro and Clyde III; two daughters, AnaIza and Sharon M. Brodus; and five grandchildren.[1]
Notable songs
edit- "Ain't That Lovin' You, Baby"
- "Baby (You've Got What It Takes)"
- "Doncha' Think It's Time"
- "Endlessly"
- "I'm Too Far Gone (To Turn Around)"
- "It's Just a Matter of Time"
- "Kiddio"
- "Looking Back"
- "A Rockin' Good Way (to Mess Around and Fall in Love)"
- "The Stroll"
- "Thank You Pretty Baby"
- "That's All There Is to That"
- "Think Twice"
- "This Bitter Earth"
- "The Ties That Bind"
- "Till I Can't Take It Anymore"
- "The Wall"
- "Wishing It Was You"
References
edit- ^abcdObituary fromThe New York Times
- ^Clyde Otis biography"Founder Clyde Otis",Accessed May 6, 2011
- ^Jaeger, Barbara."REBUILDING A FOUNDATION",The Record (Bergen County),May 22, 1994. Accessed October 20, 2007. "Veteran songwriter, record producer, and music publisher Clyde Otis of Englewood, whose song" Take a Look "won a Grammy this year for best jazz vocal performance by Natalie Cole, has announced the reactivation of the Take a Look Foundation."