Both passed on this last week Otis at 90, James at 73. Johnny Otis' signature number is of course "Willy and the Hand Jive." In this curious clip, we are first treated to a late '50 car commercial which should stir up memories in Los Angelenos of a certain age and then to a performance by Otis and his band with the hand jive itself illustrated by a trio of meaty mamas. I always thought that Otis was a very light-skinned black man. But in real life he rejoiced under the name Veliotes and was pure Greek.
Etta James' signature number is of course At Last. Her version of "The Very Thought of You" compares favorably with Billie Holliday's.
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