Best known for the track Willie and the Hand Jive, later covered by Eric Clapton and others he also wrote Every Beat of My Heart, a hit for Gladys Knight and the Pips in 1961.
Otis, who was born to Greek-American parents, grew up in a predominately black community in Berkeley in California, listening to blues, gospel and swing, and had a deep connection to black culture. He discovered Etta James and Little Richard.
“Genetically, I’m pure Greek, psychologically, environmentally, culturally, by choice, I’m a member of the black community.”said Otis, who changed his birth name from John Veliotes.
He is one of the greatest talents of American music and he was a great American," said music historian Tom Reed, adding "He could do it all."