Hand Jive - The Johnny Otis Show

[wc4dblues]

RIP JOHNNY you will be missed forever.

[luviananna]

Was Johnny Otis a chubby chaser?

[dal4018]

@luviananna Was he the KING OF ROCK-N-ROLL BEFORE ELVIS??????

[52fabien52]

Johnny Otis Réstera A Gravé A Tout Jamais Dans Le Monde Du Rhythm'n'Blues,Merci A Lui

[lee18103]

We all live one life. This guy did it well!

[ehetleos]

Καλό ταξείδι πατριώτη...

[mesaeddie]

R I P Mr . Otis . I was lucky enough to see him and his great band and his very talented son Shuggie in the 70's .

[CreativeLib]

Anyone realize this is where the idea for "Born To Hand Jive" in the movie/play Grease came from?  The notes are practically the same! Always good to find the original source! I love this!

[CRYSTALLTAY]

CLASSIC IT DONT GET KNOW BETTA THEN THIS. DID YOU SEE LIONEL HAMPTON ON THE VIBES? YALL RIP.

[grapesfirst90]

@CRYSTALLTAY YES! Didn't Lionel do his thing?! Mister Hampton was jivin' on them vibes! LOL!

[angelinavalentine24]

This video made me smile, :)

[Suzywriter]

Them some women right there.



[TheHoosier66]

Great song, rest in peace Johnny O....

[paulie227]

And he fine!~

[paulie227]

I had no idea

[TheSleve22]

Im Proud to be a Greek American with Johnny Otis. I think he is Hand Jiving right now...RIP Johnny

[luvureally]

“Society wants to categorize everything, but to me it’s all African-American music,” he told The San Francisco Chronicle in 1993. “The music isn’t just the notes, it’s the culture — the way Grandma cooked, the way Grandpa told stories, the way the kids walked and talked.”

Johnny Otis.

[stepdvs]

Everyone Loves this! It will live on FOREVER!!~thanx Johnny up in Heavens Home!

[MrCoolcat1974]

Farewell, Johnny! You certainly cheered me up over the years.

[dal4018]

@MrCoolcat1974 Yes he expired on the 17th Muhammad Ali's birthday.Also Etta James died yesterday two great ppl dying in the same week.

[Boombox113]

I think those 3 would be better off doing a salad tbh

[InsertInfinity]

@Boombox113 ALL this positivity on this video and here comes your negative ass defeating the whole purpose. -_-

[sindilee]

God rest Johnny's soul!! Heaven must have one hell of a band!!

[gsdmama2]

Born Ioannis Alexandres Veloites, the son of Greek immigrants, Johnny grew up during the Depression in a working class neighborhood in Berkeley, Calif. When he started playing music, he changed his last name to Otis. He played mostly in black clubs, as he explained to Terry Gross of WHYY's Fresh Air in 1989.

May his memory be eternal.

[ghostwraith76]

RIP Johnny etta just arrived and is ready to bring the house down

[gcahn2]

Where's the rest of Johnny with lionel Hampton, that looks interesting.

[aliciabanks]

rip johnny

say hello to etta

we love u both forever!

[Rinderart]

Thanks Johnny for everything you turned me on to. RIP.

Laurin Rinder

[JimBowie1133]

RIP Johnny Otis , doing the crazy hand jive

[52fabien52]

Sublime...Mister Johnny Otis

[bobluman4]

RIP JOHNNY

[grapesfirst90]

You go, Johnny O! Thanks for your open-mindedness, your blindness to bigotry, and your warm generous heart toward people of color, especially at a time when Jim Crow resented such unity among the races.You bridged the color spectrum with your music. And thanks for discovering Etta James who joins you in deep sleep today. High "FIVE" to you and Etta, Johnny! You both will forever be remembered always and forever!

[bakedsushi]

@grapesfirst90 I hoe everyone caught the interview on NPR recorded almost two weeks ago. Terri Gross did a great job and Johnny was as clear minded as we all could expect from such a Cool Human Being.

[grapesfirst90]

@bakedsushi I agree with you 100%..Even at 90+ years, Johnny had all his mental faculties and had good clarity in speech. Throughout his life, he had a wonderful camaraderie with musicians from every musical genre. His coolness and genuine interest in people culturally transcended across the world. Wouldn't it be nice if people in general had such rapport with HUMANITY? Many of them should watch this video and learn something from this Cool Cat! What a great legacy he leaves behind. Thanks:-D!

[CrAzyAsSiLeNt]

R.I.P

[cobrajitsu]

Many blessings cool Cat.

[ItsMidey]

RIP <3

[BIGCHTR]

An inspiration to the blues and rock and roll RIP Johnny Otis

[MYBIGKINDHEART]

we are losing all the goodens while the pilicks live on

[carl14allen]

@MYBIGKINDHEART let's all be glad that we have YouTube, we can listen to such wonderful music like this.

[curtistembeck]

I love the way he is playing the piano as a percussion instrument (which, technically it is). Not to mention he is one handsome SOB.

[TheButtons60]

RIP, Mr. Otis. He also worked with Etta James, who also died this week.

[politispittas]

R.I.P, Johnny , you ll be always remembered...

[1234Krueger]

R.I.P. from Germany. Wonderful song, wonderful guy, wonderful ladies. Music an emotion counts. Nothing else. R.I.P. You'll always be remembered!

[unclekipper]

Thank you for your contribution to Black Music, Mr Otis!

RIP

[oldkoloa]

R.I.P. Johnny Otis. You were really a cool dude. You made fantastic music. You will be missed.

[taildragger53]

Johnny Otis was the coolest looking guy ever.

This what you can call slick!

R.I.P. Mr Otis..you were unique.

[tripwire99]

RIP

His contributions to music and civil rights will be remembered.

[SantaClaritaVegan]

Johnny Otis sure made people happy!

[fubar50cat]

yeh, willie and the had jive, Johnny Otis, RIP, loved yer music, btw, the ladies in this vid are HOT, yeh

[dennisgilliam]

The ultimate compliment is that I listened to Johnny Otis's show on KPFA for years and did not know until I read his Obit in the LA Times today that he was white. We will miss your enthusiasm for the emerging blues.

[beentheredonethatb4]

RIP Johnny. Your legacy will live on.

[FreakCitySF]

geezus I've never seen real live fat people from the 50s

[flaminfedora]

damn, now those are some mamas.

[bgeezia]

RIP*

[RICHIELOVESAXWORLD1]

Rest In Peace My Second Father.

[mpo1107]

R.I.P. Johnny,

You will be missed.

[dannydv888]

When I was just a little kid I was GLUED to the TV any time Johnny Otis was on. I loved his show, I loved his music, and for certain, he'll be missed by any one who ever heard him. Rest in peace Johnny, and thank you for the good times.

[wildbilltexas]

RIP Johnny! Teach Jesus to do the Hand Jive.

[evertrobles]

RIP Johnny Otis

[Julian20071]

R.I.P.



[jleoblues]

RIP Johnny Otis This is a very sad day in the music world I was born on December 28 as well. Johnny was talented and an innovator in more ways than one!

[kinseymilkbone]

Thanks for everything, Johnny Otis.

[dcHAUSdesign]

awesome artist.

[blessedk77]

Rest in peace, Johnny.

[jga665]

R.I.P Great man!

[smgdance]

RIP Johnny Otis. Thanks for the great tunes.

[kabulgaf]

Life without the occasional hand jive is no life at all!

[smokeringday]

Good Journey Johnny Otis



[damfino1964]

R.I.P. Johnny Otis, died Jan 18 at age 90. Godfather of R&B! Thanks Johnny!

[dickdastardly229]

R.I.P.

[JanJamboree]

Frank Zappa was a big fan. In fact, he grew his infamous moustache because "it looked so cool on Johnny Otis"

[glorybra]

Johnny just passed away today at 90 years old. Many people don't know that he was Greek and not black.

[greekfreak1980]

@glorybra Yes,he said once:"I was Greek by birth but black by persuasion'' ,great musician,R.I.P.

[keykiyox]

I do not believe he's gone. He just cannot. To me, he lives forever. Thank you Johnny Otis, you gave me a lot. Without your Savoy recordings, I would not be what I am now.

[Rangystoner]

Thanks for all the great shows.

[rrenfro12]

RIP, Mr. Otis. Thanks for all the catfish!

[exnewsanchor]

RIP

[junedeon]

I don't believe he's gone. I just don't.

[ebaylistentomusic]

Thanks you Johnny for all that you gave!!!

[chrib86]

yeahhh....some fat chicken id like to eat

[kory33bb]

I remember learning how to hand jive from a friend from Boston, back in the day

[TheChuck624]

Thank you entertaining us, but the use the back door when you exit the building please. 

[k4xs]

Good song....love the "lunch lady arms" on the chick closest to Otis.  Her whole upper arm does the twist.

[dukeuke1]

The THREE Ton`s of JOY are the Chicks here & they were JUST THAT !!

[punkyhiphopdood]

This dude was cool as hell.

[cheengators]

Johnny Otis was very handsome in his prime.

[THEMOJOMANsince1959]

@cheengators From what I've read JOHNNY OTIS is still "cookin". He's runs some musical dept at a California university or college. ORIGINAL

[sybir6502]

glamorous

[MrArsg13]

likes diddley

[fortheloveoftunes]

I´ve got a friend and oh boy can he do da hand jive .-)

[SMITHFRANK]

I want that suit Johnny's wearing !

[fxo369]

Great version of this in the movie "Juke Box Rhythm" (ca '57-58), shown occasionally on TCM.

[TheLoftProject]

a fantastic classic that doesn't fail to dance and smile!

[MrSteamhammer100]

great to see the "three tones of joy", in front of Mary Adams !

[2alari84]

Boy does time fly... I remember watching the Johnny Otis show hahahaha what fun!

[Wonka275]

Johnny may have ripped off Bo Diddley's riff, but he did a great job with it!

[wggoodness]

@Wonka275 Johnny Otis composed this in 1958. Bo covered it soon after. (via Mefi) <3 them both

[daltemple]

Um dis song is so boring but I like itt lol

[iineedmentalhelp]

HAM JIVE

[flugruger747]

straight up jam. good for all ages

[flugruger747]

straight up jam. good for all ages

[phuckju13]

this is bad love to hear it im only 28 pero music is timeless or maybe i was in a past life who knows

[jessedan2]

this video is soooo dope! it really doesn't get any more real

[fmbighair]

oh man, does anyone know where I can check him out playing the drums, it cut off at the end?

[oxamanda93xo]

grease is the word

[leicafool]

was that another lengend on the vibes? lionel hampton? Have to see whether he did anything else with johnny o too

[pretorious700]

J Otis is one of the coolest ever, an American of Greek extraction who had as much soul as anybody has a right to.

[uoitofsogroj]

Geia sou VoliOTIS !

[bellgardens53]

"Three Tons of Joy" ....kool name of them gals. LOL

[Shaun17170]

So this is where the song originates from

[PatrickMcBride65]

AWESOME!!! So good!

whoooooooaaaaaaahhhhhh!

[bittlenip]

I saw this show with the 3 Tons Joy at the Evergreen Ballroom near Olympia WA. 1957

[bumblebeebattv]

I like him-- he's the male version of Teena Marie and was more black than the average black person I know!! He gave his music back to the black community by marrying a black woman and making her an honest woman!! How many white guys who sing, sound black, but marries into any other race INSTEAD of a black woman!! I get so sick of that crap!! Hats off to Johnny!! ;^)

[d820m]

Johnny loved the black culture so much that he considers himself black...even back then...he married a black woman....and he helped so many black artists...he discovered, Little Esther(Phillips), Sugar Pie DeSanto, and Etta James

[reelden]

Johnny Otis Johnny Otis!! true original!

[MrB17FlyingFortress]

This guy Johnny Otis was really good.

[elvispreseli]

Damn! Have some respect for this man. He was the bomb and he gave us Shuggie!!

[CYNAMINGRL]

Just in case you didn't know. This is cool!!!!! :-)

[JWKeebs]

I didn't know Johnny Otis had his own show. This is the coolest video ever

[stephen1622]

Got damn Johnny Otis was fine Jesusususssssssssssssss

[LokoLexx01]

@stephen1622 rite.! i'm black & i love black men & latino men & even thought he was greek he was all olive complected & wavy & whatnot. alot of the best looking men were back in the day like herb jeffries, the 'black john wayne'/'bronze buckaroo' & dizzy gillespie. lol.

[kunkelponi]

way cool

[kunkelponi]

Johnny Otis don't even know how cool he is....

[wmcwhinney]

Tones is down? Google "Snatch and the Poontangs"....

[Psychedelicus51]

great Greek! his real name is Voliotis.

[gojoshua93]

if you look to the right youll see 3 elephants.

[amnaki]

I feel so lucky that i saw this video.

[tuxguys]

Man! Talk about musicus interruptus! Lionel Hampton appears, and then the clip ENDS?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

[christyman]

if you studied the history of rock you'd find out how important/relevant this recording is to the development of the genre

[Astonyshing]

Interesting vintage piece - always intrigued where people find these video cuts. Thanks for posting.

[ptrh07]

Johnny Otis has the sharp rhythm, but those small girls do it inexactly. But the smile is perfect. Anyway a brilliant video and fine music.

[ToonOMate]

i LOVE this song!!! im surprised that for one that no one gave this a thumbs down(of course they wouldnt) and that two... THAT THIS IS SUCH A GREAT SONG!!!!!!

[ray482]

Nice to see the GREAT MARIE ADDAMS

[narcovice]

wow twins

[tacodreamteam]

I was lucky enough to get an invite to the wrap party for the movie Scream years ago. Santa Rosa California. Johnny Otis played. Cool band and a good guy....I think Wes Craven was a fan and Johnny lived in northern California.

[smokindog]

Very cool!!

[Sox575]

Wow, I didn't know there was a real song called "hand jive."  I thought it was only in the movie musical "Grease." I love this song!

[MrCallipygous]

Johnny Otis put his name down as composer of "Hound Dog" . Lieber and Stoller had to get a lawyer to get ownership back.

[jleoblues]

Johnny Otis name was John Alexander Veliotes

He was Greek and he was born December 28, 1921 (my birthday is 12/28 as well) If I am not mistaken, the guitarist is Wayne Bennett who later went on to play with James Brown and the Fabulous Flames. (don't' quote me on that)

[tiana1017]

@jleoblues Johnny looks kinda black but very mixed, octoroon like Cab Calloway, plus his son looks mixed with black as well Shuggie Otis from The Brothers Johnson's band, their famous hit was strawberry letter 23

[osiruskat]

@tiana1017 I know that your post is old but Shuggie Otis actually wrote "Strawberry Letter" and the Brothers Johnson covered it. Check out any of Shuggie's albums. good stuff.

[d820m]

@jleoblues ok...i won't quote you on that...lol....you're thinking of Jimmy Nolen.....Wayne Bennett was with Bobby "Blue" Bland

[jleoblues]

@d820m I stand corrected. I "heard" that it was Wayne Bennett

[engelundgeister]

Oh, my God...It's Lionel Hampton, on vibes...!

[engelundgeister]

Johnny's backup-singers were known as "The Three Tons of Joy"! And, when we found-out that Johnny was of Greek descent...and, wasn't a Black man...we were floored! In the 1950's, he ran for political office, in Los Angeles, and, by law, he had to list his legal name, for purposes of the election. I believe that it was "Veliotis". What a beautiful man he was...

[engelundgeister]

Fabulous! I watched "The Johnny Otis Show", and never missed an episode! Johnny was a handsome, and accomplished musician. The fact that he was, as well, an extremely kind and gemerous man, is worth mentioning, as well. Lord, how I miss those days! There was talent. There was dignity. There was a nation, which swelled with pride. There was optimism.

As with "The Johnny Otis Show", such things, at least in America, seem to be things of the past...

[jpkyker]

My god.. This is freaky awesome!

[bbbustedflush]

Every time I listen to this song and watch this video it brings on an ear to ear smile. I think its because he obviously truly enjoyed his music. The voice and song dont hurt nun either.

[samholdsworth]

haha americans have always been fat

[dkfelix]

No not "Skinny Jim" or "Skinnie Minnie"

[Oberstfeldmeister]

Great great great, esp. with the Three Tons of Joy. At last I know how to do the hand jive properly. Thank you!!!!

[3chrds]

SNATCH N' DA POONTANGS!!!!!!!!!!!

[SBRmakes3]

Wow, I did the hand jive, it seems like yesterday, but it was soo much longer then that. Love this sone

[LikeSyrup]

Man does Magic Bus by the Who sound like this to anyone else?

[tuxguys]

@LikeSyrup It's called the "Bo Diddley Beat" and it's a sped-up rhumba... everybody from Buddy Holly, to Neil Sedaka, to Magic Mose & his Royal Rockers, featuring 'Blind Sam,' has used it.

[yexey]

omg the song is called "hand job"?

1950s were so dirty. I'm glad subsequent decades corrected this lapse in moral standards.

[missemarosa]

Hand Jiiiiiiiive

Hand Jiiiiiiiive lmfao

[ftenzer]

Bring 1950's music and all earlier music back to free radio! Write regular mail letters to at least one radio station like I did because there is no little man in the radio that tells the radio station that they are being listened to!

[BerkeleyEagle1600]

Johnny Otis a true Berkeley native

[chezfun]

WILD......go girls go!!

[zacman52693]

wats with the fat women

[letsdance33904]

oh my

[bev750]

This is really neat....I remember this song, I was in grammar school maybe 2 or 3rd grade...to see this is amazing.

[doctordoowop]

This is from Johnny Otis' last TV show-why the station saved it. The chicks are "The Three Toys of Joy."

[CaptBill1947]

It is "The Three Tons of Joy"

[countrytom72]

The Three Toys of Joy ....... ROFLMAO

[jpendur]

check out the Bo Diddley versions!

[poppinfresh79]

This song is still great 50 years later!!!!!

[jazmaan]

Johnny Otis! Johnny Otis! (clap clap) Johnny Otis! Johnny Otis!

[deyoungaza]

Wow! The Tons Of Joy on film. Cool!

[Geoffrey1610]

eww fat people doing the jive nah just kidding

[gamegal95]

Wow.

I can never do the hand jive.. lol..

I suck :(

[youvexme]

I am constantly amazed how people get hold of such rare footage! Thanks very much for uploading, this is great!

[discosydiscofilos]

Simplemente extraordinario,un lujo ver a éste gran músico en una compañía como Lionel Hampton,gran video,desde Chile muchas gracias.

[CyberNetherlands]

Please be very carefull on this amazing piece of video !! Great you have uploaded this part.

I only can rate 5**** but Johnny Otis en you (for upload this colectors item) deserve more.

(Granddaddy) Cor

Netherlands

[kingvidiot66]

Dude be grateful this clip exists at all!