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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZSPANN, Otis(b 21 March '30, Jackson MS; d 24 April '70, Chicago) Blues singer, pianist, also played organ, harmonica. With Muddy Waters and Little Walter, one of the greatest of the originators of post-war Chicago blues. Began on piano age seven; attended junior college, played football and was a boxer, also worked in blues clubs. Served in US Army '46- -51, then to Chicago, working mostly outside music at first, almost continuously with Waters from '53, also recording with Howlin' Wolf and Bo Diddley '54--5, as Chess house pianist. Own records on Chess/Checker '55--63. Albums incl. Otis Spann Is The Blues '60 on Candid, Good Morning Blues '63 on Storyville (made in Copenhagen), Chicago Blues on Testament '64--5, Blues Never Die '65 on Prestige, Crying Time '66 on Vanguard, Nobody Knows Chicago Like I Do '66 (live with Waters on BluesWay, later on Charly UK). Also recorded with Wolf again '60 on Chess; with Johnny Young on Arhoolie '65, Blue Horizon '69; with Johnny Shines on Testament '66, with Buddy Guy on Vanguard '68, Junior Wells/Guy on Delmark c early '70. Died of cancer. |