Otis Spann Legendary American bluesman of post-war America, pianist Date of Birth: 21.03.1930 Country: USA

Biography of Otis Spann

Otis Spann was a legendary American blues musician and pianist, best known for his contributions to the Chicago blues scene. He was born in 1930 in Jackson, Mississippi, to Frank Houston Spann and Josephine Erby. Spann grew up in a musical family, with his father being a pianist and his mother playing guitar for the renowned Memphis Minnie.

At the age of 8, Spann began learning to play the piano, and by his teenage years, he was already performing in local bands and earning money through his music. He also learned to play the guitar and harmonica during this time. In 1946 (or 1947 according to some sources), Spann moved to Chicago.

Often performing alongside guitarist Morris Pejoe, Spann caught the attention of Muddy Waters in 1952 and became the band's pianist. His piano skills can be heard on the recording of "Mad Love" in 1953. Waters highly regarded Spann's rhythmic left hand and his ability to feel the blues with his fingertips. Despite his close connection to Waters, Spann also seized opportunities to collaborate with other musicians.

Throughout his career, Spann played with various Chicago bluesmen such as Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson, Buddy Guy, and Bo Diddley. However, his most significant work was with Muddy Waters. The two were so close that many believed they were stepbrothers. Spann released his first single, "It Must Have Been the Devil," in 1954 and his first full-length album, "Otis Spann Is the Blues," in 1960, which is still considered remarkable by blues enthusiasts.

In the 1960s, Spann recorded several albums, including "Goodmorning Mr Blues" and "The Blues is Where It's At" in 1963, "The Blues of Otis Spann" and "The Blues Never Die!" in 1964, "Chicago/The Blues/Today! Vol.1" in 1966, "The Bottom of the Blues" in 1968, and "Cracked Spanner Head" and "The Biggest Thing Since Colossus" in 1969.

Tragically, Spann passed away at the age of 40 from liver cancer on April 24, 1970. He was laid to rest at Burr Oak Cemetery in Alsip, Illinois. For 30 years, his grave remained unmarked until Steve Salter, the president of the "Killer Blues Headstone Project," called for action to honor the great blues pianist. With the support of the global blues community, funds were raised to purchase and install a headstone on June 6, 1999. The inscription on the stone reads, "Otis played the deepest blues we ever heard. He will always play in our hearts."

In 1980, Otis Spann was posthumously inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame, solidifying his status as one of the most influential figures in blues music.