Jump to content

Clyde Otis: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Persondata
 
(27 intermediate revisions by 21 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Clyde Otis
| name = Clyde Otis
| image = Clyde Otis.jpg
| image = Clyde Otis.jpg
| alt =
| alt =
| caption =
| caption =
| image_size = 190px
| image_size = 190px
| birth_name =
| background = non_performing_personnel
| birth_name =
| alias =
| alias =
| birth_date = September 11, 1924
⚫
| birth_place = [[Prentiss, Mississippi|Prentiss]], [[Mississippi]], United States
| birth_date = September 11, 1924
⚫
| origin =
⚫
| birth_place = [[Prentiss, Mississippi|Prentiss]], [[Mississippi]]
⚫
| death_date = {{dda|2008|1|8|1924|9|11}}
⚫
| origin =
⚫
| death_place = [[Englewood, New Jersey|Englewood]], [[New Jersey]], United States
⚫
| death_date = {{dda|2008|1|8|1924|9|11}}
⚫
| genre =
⚫
| death_place = [[Englewood, New Jersey|Englewood]], [[New Jersey]]
| occupation = [[Songwriter]], [[record producer]], [[Artists and repertoire#Finding talent|A&R executive]]
⚫
| genre =
| occupation = Songwriter, producer
| instrument =
| years_active = <!-- YYYY–YYYY (or –present) -->
| instrument =
| years_active = <!-- YYYY–YYYY (or –present) -->
| label =
⚫
| associated_acts = [[Brook Benton]], [[Dinah Washington]], [[Sarah Vaughan]], [[Natalie Cole]]
| label =
⚫
| website = <!-- {{URL|example.com}} -->
⚫
| associated_acts = [[Brook Benton]], [[Dinah Washington]], , [[Sarah Vaughan]], [[Natalie Cole]]
⚫
| website = <!-- {{URL|example.com}} -->
| notable_instruments =
}}
}}


'''Clyde Otis''' (September 11, 1924 – January 8, 2008), born in [[Prentiss, Mississippi|Prentiss]], [[Mississippi]], was an [[United States|American]] songwriter and producer best known for his collaboration with singer [[Brook Benton]], and for being one of the first [[African-American]] [[A&R]] executive for a major label.<ref name="nyt"/>
'''Clyde Lovern Otis''' (September 11, 1924 – January 8, 2008) was an American songwriter and record producer, best known for his collaboration with singer [[Brook Benton]], and for being one of the first [[African-American]] [[A&R]] executives at a major label.<ref name="nyt"/>


According to the [[music licensing]] organization Broadcast Music Inc., Otis is credited as the writer or co-writer of almost 800 songs.<ref name="nyt"/>
According to the [[music licensing]] organization [[Broadcast Music, Inc.]], Otis is credited as the writer or co-writer of almost 800 songs.<ref name="nyt"/>


== Early career ==
== Early career ==
After serving in the Marines during [[World War II]], Otis moved to [[New York]] and inspired by fellow Marine [[Bobby Troup]], best known for "[[Route 66 (song)|Route 66]]", began writing songs. Otis' first success was [[Nat King Cole]]’s recording of his song “That’s All There Is to That”, which reached the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' Top 20 in 1956.
After serving in the Marines during [[World War II]], Otis moved to [[New York City]] and inspired by fellow Marine [[Bobby Troup]], best known for "[[Route 66 (song)|Route 66]]", began writing songs. Otis' first success was [[Nat King Cole]]'s recording of his song "[[That's All There Is to That]]", which reached the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' Top 20 in 1956.


== A&R executive ==
== A&R executive ==
On joining [[Mercury Records]] as director of [[artists and repertoire|A&R]] in 1958,<ref name="nyt"/> Otis began writing and producing material for Brook Benton. This collaboration led to "[[It's Just a Matter of Time (song)|It's Just a Matter of Time]]", "[[Endlessly (Brook Benton song)|Endlessly]]", "[[So Many Ways (song)|So Many Ways]]", "[[Kiddio]]" and the [[novelty song]], "[[The Boll Weevil Song]]".
On joining [[Mercury Records]] as director of [[artists and repertoire|A&R]] in 1958,<ref name="nyt"/> Otis began writing and producing material for Brook Benton. This collaboration led to "[[It's Just a Matter of Time (song)|It's Just a Matter of Time]]", "[[Endlessly (Brook Benton song)|Endlessly]]", "[[So Many Ways (Brook Benton song)|So Many Ways]]", "[[Kiddio]]" and the [[novelty song]], "[[Boll Weevil (song)|The Boll Weevil Song]]".


Otis also produced a number of duets between Benton and [[Dinah 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 (song)|What a Difference a Day Makes]]" and "[[This Bitter Earth]]".
Otis also produced a number of duets between Benton and [[Dinah 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 (song)|What a Difference a Day Makes]]" and "[[This Bitter Earth]]".


Otis also produced hits for [[Sarah Vaughan]] ("[[Broken-Hearted Melody]]"), [[Timi Yuro]] ("Hurt") and [[The Diamonds]] ("[[The Stroll]]"), which he also co-wrote. In 1962 Otis produced 33 of Mercury's 51 chart hits.<ref>Clyde Otis biography [http://tcomg.com/clydeotis.html "Founder Clyde Otis"], Accessed May 6, 2011</ref>
Otis also produced hits for [[Sarah Vaughan]] ("[[Broken-Hearted Melody]]"), [[Timi Yuro]] ("[[Hurt (Roy Hamilton song)|Hurt]]") and [[The Diamonds]] ("[[The Stroll (song)|The Stroll]]"), which he also co-wrote. In 1962 Otis produced 33 of Mercury's 51 chart hits.<ref>Clyde Otis biography [http://tcomg.com/clydeotis.html "Founder Clyde Otis"], Accessed May 6, 2011</ref>


== Clyde Otis Music Group ==
== Clyde Otis Music Group ==
Upon leaving the label, he briefly worked at [[Liberty Records]] before founding his own publishing firm, the Clyde Otis Music Group, and moving into independent production. Relocating to [[Nashville, Tennessee]], Otis produced sessions for country singers [[Charlie Rich]] and [[Sonny James]]. His songs have also been recorded by [[Elvis Presley]], [[Aretha Franklin]], [[Johnny Mathis]], and [[Patti Page]].
Upon leaving the label, he briefly worked at [[Liberty Records]] before founding his own publishing firm, the Clyde Otis Music Group, and moving into independent production. Relocating to [[Nashville, Tennessee]], Otis produced sessions for country singers [[Charlie Rich]] and [[Sonny James]]. His songs have also been recorded by [[Elvis Presley]], [[Aretha Franklin]], [[Johnny Mathis]], and [[Patti Page]]. In the late 1970s, he collaborated again with Brook Benton on several albums for various labels.


== Awards ==
== Awards ==
Winner of a [[Grammy]] (1994) for producing [[Natalie Cole]]'s "Take a Look",<ref>Jaeger, Barbara. [http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-22545984.html "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."</ref> Otis was given a Pioneer Award by the [[Rhythm and Blues Foundation]] in 2000.
Winner of a [[Grammy Award]] in 1994 for producing [[Natalie Cole]]'s "Take a Look",<ref>Jaeger, Barbara. [https://web.archive.org/web/20110516205312/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-22545984.html "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."</ref> Otis was given a Pioneer Award by the [[Rhythm and Blues Foundation]] in 2000.


== Personal life ==
==Personal life==
He lived in [[Englewood, 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; a daughter, AnaIza; and five grandchildren.<ref name="nyt">[http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/18/arts/music/18otis.html Obituary from ''The New York Times'']</ref>
He lived in [[Englewood, 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.<ref name="nyt">[https://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/18/arts/music/18otis.html Obituary from ''The New York Times'']</ref>

==Notable songs==
*"[[Ain't That Lovin' You, Baby]]"
*"[[Baby (You've Got What It Takes)]]"
*"[[Doncha' Think It's Time]]"
*"[[Endlessly (song)|Endlessly]]"
*"[[I'm Too Far Gone (To Turn Around)]]"
*"[[It's Just a Matter of Time (song)|It's Just a Matter of Time]]"
*"[[Kiddio]]"
*[[Looking Back (Nat King Cole song)|"Looking Back"]]
*"[[A Rockin' Good Way (to Mess Around and Fall in Love)]]"
*"[[The Stroll (song)|The Stroll]]"
*"[[Thank You Pretty Baby]]"
*"[[That's All There Is to That]]"
*[[Think Twice (Brook Benton song)|"Think Twice"]]
*"[[This Bitter Earth]]"
*[[The Ties That Bind (Don Williams song)|"The Ties That Bind"]]
*"[[Till I Can't Take It Anymore]]"
*[[The Wall (1957 song)|"The Wall"]]
*"[[Wishing It Was You]]"


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
[http://tcomg.com/clydeotis.html]


== External links ==
==External links==
*[http://www.tcomg.com/ The Clyde Otis Music Group website]
*[http://www.tcomg.com/ The Clyde Otis Music Group website]


{{Authority control|VIAF=10112082}}
{{Authority control}}


{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
| NAME = Otis, Clyde
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = American businessman
| DATE OF BIRTH = September 11, 1924
| PLACE OF BIRTH = [[Prentiss, Mississippi|Prentiss]], [[Mississippi]]
| DATE OF DEATH = January 8, 2008
| PLACE OF DEATH = [[Englewood, New Jersey|Englewood]], [[New Jersey]]
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Otis, Clyde}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Otis, Clyde}}
[[Category:2008 deaths]]
[[Category:2008 deaths]]
Line 69: Line 77:
[[Category:American music industry executives]]
[[Category:American music industry executives]]
[[Category:People from Jefferson Davis County, Mississippi]]
[[Category:People from Jefferson Davis County, Mississippi]]
[[Category:People from Englewood, New Jersey]]
[[Category:Musicians from Englewood, New Jersey]]
[[Category:Mercury Records artists]]
[[Category:Mercury Records artists]]
[[Category:Liberty Records artists]]
[[Category:Liberty Records artists]]

Latest revision as of 08:23, 30 October 2024

Clyde Otis
Background information
BornSeptember 11, 1924
Prentiss, Mississippi, United States
DiedJanuary 8, 2008(2008-01-08) (aged 83)
Englewood, New Jersey, United States
Occupation(s)Songwriter, record producer, A&R executive

Clyde Lovern Otis (September 11, 1924 – January 8, 2008) was an American songwriter and record producer, best known for his collaboration with singer Brook Benton, and for being one of the first African-American A&R executives at a major label.[1]

According to the music licensing organization Broadcast Music, Inc., Otis is credited as the writer or co-writer of almost 800 songs.[1]

Early career

[edit]

After serving in the Marines during World War II, Otis moved to New York City and inspired by fellow Marine Bobby Troup, best known for "Route 66", began writing songs. Otis' first success was Nat King Cole's recording of his song "That's All There Is to That", which reached the Billboard Top 20 in 1956.

A&R executive

[edit]

On joining Mercury Records as director of A&R in 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 the novelty song, "The Boll Weevil Song".

Otis also produced a number of duets between Benton and Dinah 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 for Sarah Vaughan ("Broken-Hearted Melody"), Timi Yuro ("Hurt") and The Diamonds ("The Stroll"), which he also co-wrote. In 1962 Otis produced 33 of Mercury's 51 chart hits.[2]

Clyde Otis Music Group

[edit]

Upon leaving the label, he briefly worked at Liberty Records before founding his own publishing firm, the Clyde Otis Music Group, and moving into independent production. Relocating to Nashville, Tennessee, Otis produced sessions for country singers Charlie Rich and Sonny James. His songs have also been recorded by Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, Johnny Mathis, and Patti Page. In the late 1970s, he collaborated again with Brook Benton on several albums for various labels.

Awards

[edit]

Winner of a Grammy Award in 1994 for producing Natalie Cole's "Take a Look",[3] Otis was given a Pioneer Award by the Rhythm and Blues Foundation in 2000.

Personal life

[edit]

He lived in Englewood, 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]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d Obituary from The New York Times
  2. ^ Clyde Otis biography "Founder Clyde Otis", Accessed May 6, 2011
  3. ^ 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."
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Clyde_Otis&oldid=1254287898"