Shuggie Otis is a musician’s musician, a reclusive genius from Los Angeles whose name has been spoken in reverential tones by his peers for more than four decades.
Johnny 'Shuggie' Otis is the son of famous band leader Johnny Otis. A teenage guitarist supremo, multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, songwriter, and producer. Shuggie Otis signed to Epic records and released his debut solo album 'Here Comes Shuggie' in 1970 when he was just 18 years old.
Shuggie Otis produced two more solo albums for Epic with 1971's 'Freedom Flight' which notably included the massively influential and much adored 'Strawberry Letter 23' single, later covered by the Brothers Johnson who had a worldwide hit with the song and seminal album 'Inspiration Information' which was released in 1975.
Widely acknowledged as one of the world’s very finest guitarists, Otis was then invited to join The Rolling Stones as a replacement for the departing Mick Taylor. ‘Inspiration Information’ is rightfully regarded as a special recording, its neo-soul stylings having an enormous influence on so many artists and producers, none more so than Prince, David Byrne, Outkast, Flying Lotus, J Dilla and D’Angelo.
"Millions of thoughts fly through my mind when I think about the music of Shuggie Otis" - Raphael Saadiq
