Otis Blackwell

"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."

Induction Year: 1986
Date of Birth: 1931
Place of Birth: Brooklyn, NY
Date of Death: May 6, 2002
Place of Death: Nashville, TN

 

Former Occupations:
floor sweeper
clothes presser

Education:
Not on File

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"