Otis Blackwell
Induction Year: 1986
Birth Name: Otis Blackwell
Birth Date: February 16, 1931
Place of Birth: Brooklyn, NY
Deceased: May 06, 2002
Place of Death: Nashville, TN
Biography
"Goldy" Goldmark of Shalimar Publishing said (to Blackwell) 'You can write about anything. Write about this!' And he shook a bottle of soda. Blackwell went home and wrote "All Shook Up."
Former Occupations: | Education: |
Discography / Career Highlights
Career Milestones:
1952 - was the winner at one of the Apollo Theater's (NY) talent shows
early 1950s - signed a recording contract with RCA
1955 - started writing for Sheldon Music, run by Moe Gale, Goldie Goldmark and Al Stanton
1976 - returned to recording, with a collection of his own renditions of the songs that gave him fame
1994 - all-star tribute album to Blackwell, "Brace Yourself!", released
Awards:
1991 - National Academy of Popular Music\Songwriters' Hall of Fame induction
1994 - Rhythm & Blues Foundation\Pioneer Award Catalog Highlights:
Catalog Highlights:
"Don't Be Cruel" - Co-writer: Elvis Presley - Artists: Elvis Presley, The Judds, Cheap Trick
"Return to Sender" - Co-writer: Winfield Scott - Artists: Elvis Presley
"All Shook Up" - Co-writer: Elvis Presley - Artists: Elvis Presley
"Handy Man" - Co-writer: Jimmy Jones, Charles Merenstein - Artists: Jimmy Jones, Del Shannon, James Taylor
"Great Balls of Fire" - Co-writer: Jack Hammer - Artists: Jerry Lee Lewis, Dolly Parton
"Breathless" - Artists: Jerry Lee Lewis
"Fever" - Co-writer: Eddie J. Cooley - Artists: Little Willie John, Peggy Lee, The McCoys
"Hey Little Girl" - Artists: Dee Clark
"Just Keep It Up" - Artists: Dee Clark
"One Broken Heart For Sale" - Artists: Elvis Presley - Co-writer: Winfield Scott
Comments:
Blackwell did demos for Elvis so Elvis could learn the tunes (Elvis didn't read music); allegedly, Elvis imitated Blackwell's lyrical interpretation and attitude about the music. The two never met face to face.
Received BMI 3 million performance award for "Don't Be Cruel" and "Handyman"; received BMI 2 million performance award for "All Shook Up"BMI 1 million performance award for "Return to Sender" and "Great Balls of Fire"
