Shuggie Otis, born Johnny Alexander Veliotes, Jr. on November 30, 1953, is a multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, and record producer. The son of rhythm and blues bandleader Johnny Otis, Shuggie began his musical career early, performing professionally with his father's band at the age of 12. By the time he was a teenager, Otis had earned respect for his musical prowess, particularly his adept guitar work. He quickly became a sought-after session musician, contributing to works by artists like Frank Zappa and Etta James.

Otis's solo career took off in the early 1970s with albums such as "Here Comes Shuggie Otis" (1970), "Freedom Flight" (1971), and the critically acclaimed "Inspiration Information" (1974). His song "Strawberry Letter 23," from the album "Freedom Flight," gained fame when it was covered by The Brothers Johnson and became a hit in 1977. Despite his early success, Otis took a step back from the limelight, which led to a period of relative obscurity. However, he made a significant comeback with the re-release of "Inspiration Information" in 2001, coupled with "Wings Of Love," an album of previously unreleased material, in 2013. His later works capture his continued evolution as an artist with "Inter-Fusion" (2018), an instrumental project that showcases his versatility and relentless creativity. Shuggie Otis remains an influential figure in the world of funk, R&B, and blues, enchanting new and old fans alike with his soulful, melodic music and virtuoso guitar skills.

Genres

Funk

Psychedelic Soul

Soul

Related Artists

Prince

Curtis Mayfield

Stevie Wonder

Funkadelic

Marvin Gaye

Earth, Wind & Fire

Al Green

The Isley Brothers

D'Angelo

David Bowie

Jimi Hendrix

Bootsy Collins

Latest Release

Strawberry Letter 23

The Brothers Johnson•

Shuggie Otis

Single - Released July 15, 2022