After recording three critically acclaimed albums before he was 21, this guy turned down offers to join Bowie, the Stones, Blood Sweat & Tears and Quincy Jones because he wanted to make his own music. One of his first sessions at 15 was with Frank Zappa, and Zappa called him one of his heroes and personal influences. This guy's life was and is as amazing as his music and it's worth looking up his story. Glad to see him still sharp as ever.
You know that is a compelling point. I have devoured so much info about Prince that I cannot recall anything about him even hearing about Shuggie Otis. I am sure he was familiar with Strawberry Letter #23, the Brothers Johnson cover. Heck how could he not hear it? It was all over the place!. Of course just because I haven't come across any info about him and his interest in Otis the musician doesn't mean that he never heard about him or listend to his music. What is striking is how he and Otis were both self made musicians, poets and lyricists at such early ages, fully immersed in their art, and uncompromising in their objectives. Hence Shuggie turned down the offer to work under Quincy, Bowie and a laundry list of other musical heavyweights in the industry. Same as Prince did when he turned down the opportunity to work under Maurice White. They didnt want their music to become unduly convoluted under the direction of anyone else. Artists in the truest sense!
Some folks on here criticizing Shuggie doing his OWN song, frankly they’re clueless, trolls or perhaps both. Also I happen to enjoy the Brothers Johnson’s version as well, both are beyond pleasurable.
Bobby Fischer both versions are great in my opinion, Shuggie’s is more raw, less polished and slick than the Brothers Johnson. It gives it an edge that’s enjoyable.
I only learned about him a few years ago. I was blown away to find out he was the creator of this masterpiece. I only knew the Brothers Johnson cover of the song.
charlie carpenter:: just found it out on Wikipedia! WOOT! it’s sounding good, but I’m just used to the cover by The Brothers Johnson...which is a bit more upbeat. Badass song either way!!! 👍❤️🙏🌞❗️❗️
I had the original recording. Strawberry Letter 23 was a song on Shuggie Otis’ album entitled, “Freedom Flight”. The songs from it were repackaged years later and given a different album name.
I have heard “Strawberry Letter 23” dozens of times as background Muzak in stores, malls, and markets. I remember hearing it once on an elevator once. I wanted to explain it to the other people in the elevator, but they didn’t seem very sociable and there was no time to do it. I really hope that Shuggie kept the rights to this song, because it’s still being played-not a little, but a lot.
The most common cover is by the Brothers Johnson, who were pretty tight with Shuggie. George Johnson was dating one of Shuggie’s cousins, who handed him a copy. He and Louis fell in love with it and did the cover, which is what’s popularly played the most. Louis Johnson played Shuggie’s original for his own wedding. Although Louis is no longer with us, I believe both Shuggie and George remain tight.
And Shuggie has said that cover has been financially lucrative for him and has helped pay some bills over the years, for which he'll always be thankful.......
Shuggie played bass on Frank Zappa’s “Hot Rats” album, on the track “Peaches En Regalia” when he was FIFTEEN years old!! He was playing in his old man Johnny Otis’ band when he was 11!! He wore a fake moustache and dark glasses to disguise how young he was so he could play in the nightclubs his dad played in!
Shuggie's voice has a similar timbre to Johnny Otis. I guess they are half-brothers? Both are Otis' and have played together a lot. I first heard Johnny Otis on TV in about 1956 when I was 10. I loved him.
Shuggie one of the greatest ever. So was his daddy, the immortal Johnny Otis. We are all blessed to have lived in the times when these angelic musical geniuses gave us their gifts. But what I'd like to know is, who's that bass player? He's incredible!
@@rwwdzzm5608 "Passed" for black? No, my friend, the great Johnny Otis was a Greek-American kid who grew up in a Black neighborhood, loved and absorbed Black culture, especially the music. And when it came time to take a side between his Black friends and neighbors and white supremacists, he chose the former. His HS principal told him he had to stop hanging with his Black friends or be expelled, so he quit school and became a great musician. And said after that event, ""As a kid I decided that if our society dictated that one had to be black or white, I would be black."
Always knew he was the composer from The Brothers Johnson album credits (We used ta read those back then😆) but never got to see him until TH-cam and noticed The Brothers Johnson version (Gm) is a whole step down from the original (Am)
I so love this song it was created one year before I enter this world it was my traveling music as I entered into this world especially the guitar solo part pure dopeness 😁💪🏿✌🏿❤👑
Mannn I wanted to know about a sample of Tupac "Lord knows" and ended up here 🤦 braaaa!!! Just the guitar alone, I'm just blown away by!!! WOW!!!! Awww yeah"85" baby here but I know good music when I hear it though!!! 💯🔥😎💪🏼
Love his original nobody does it better than Shuggie. I’ve always wondered if another of my favorite guitarists Jon Butcher Axis was influenced by Shuggie?
Raphael Saadiq and even Beyonce Know who is...so did the members of Ohio Players, Earth, Wind & Fire, Rick James, etc...he was doing what they call Punk funk ...at the same time and even before some famous names...the music industry tried to pigeonhole him into R&B ....he was beyond that..,you can also see that He influenced Prince!
The bass player does not have to be anybody but himself....Big Game James Manning is a MONSTER on that bass!!! You probably heard him every day on the theme song to "The Bernie Mac Show"...that's him on bass.
The keyboard player needs to sing in support to Shuggie NOT try to take the lead. Shuggie is having to chase this fool keyboard player instead of the keyboardist staying in his lane to support Shuggie. Geez!!!
@@michellerader7702 They got rid of it. I commented 5 months ago, but if I remember correctly it was the freemason, luciferian triangle with the all seeing eye. Actually when you play the vid, it's at the bottom left.
Quite the contrary; Shuggie has openly given thanks to the cover by The Brothers Johnson for paying some bills over some rough stretches, and he's still getting paid for it even today!
![[Live] : ONE 168 วันนี้!! "โจนาธาน vs ซุปเปอร์เล็ก"](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/0jIN65KgJsI/mqdefault.jpg)
After recording three critically acclaimed albums before he was 21, this guy turned down offers to join Bowie, the Stones, Blood Sweat & Tears and Quincy Jones because he wanted to make his own music. One of his first sessions at 15 was with Frank Zappa, and Zappa called him one of his heroes and personal influences. This guy's life was and is as amazing as his music and it's worth looking up his story. Glad to see him still sharp as ever.
I'm so glad that there seems to be a rediscovery of his work
And BOB DYLAN
True that 😂
That's someone with a LOT of integrity!
That's why he is still alive👍...no sell out
Much respect to the Originator Shuggie Otis👑🎸 The Brothers Johnson brought me here
Kids, this is music, this is beauty.
No doubt Prince was influenced heavily by this great musician. I'm speechless on this man contribution to funk music.
You know that is a compelling point.
I have devoured so much info about Prince that I cannot recall anything about him even hearing about Shuggie Otis. I am sure he was familiar with Strawberry Letter #23, the Brothers Johnson cover.
Heck how could he not hear it? It was all over the place!.
Of course just because I haven't come across any info about him and his interest in Otis the musician doesn't mean that he never heard about him or listend to his music.
What is striking is how he and Otis were both self made musicians, poets and lyricists at such early ages,
fully immersed in their art,
and uncompromising in their objectives.
Hence Shuggie turned down the offer to work under Quincy, Bowie and a laundry list of other musical heavyweights in the industry.
Same as Prince did when he turned down the opportunity to work under Maurice White.
They didnt want their music to become unduly convoluted under the direction of anyone else.
Artists in the truest sense!
@@keithbell9348 the synth player has early 2000s prince vibes with that hat and eyeliner..
Some folks on here criticizing Shuggie doing his OWN song, frankly they’re clueless, trolls or perhaps both. Also I happen to enjoy the Brothers Johnson’s version as well, both are beyond pleasurable.
He wrote it true but the brothers Johnson version is more intense
Bobby Fischer both versions are great in my opinion, Shuggie’s is more raw, less polished and slick than the Brothers Johnson. It gives it an edge that’s enjoyable.
Shuggie, all day long...
the shuggie version is by far better
@@bobbyfischer6149 The Brothers Johnson version is obviously great, but I prefer Shuggie’s original.
I am 60 and never heard of him before, cool music.
I only learned about him a few years ago. I was blown away to find out he was the creator of this masterpiece. I only knew the Brothers Johnson cover of the song.
Shuggie's playing his music with a new generation of musicians! That's one step closer to immortality. And he's having so much fun haha
42 years later to know he is the original composer...!!
charlie carpenter:: just found it out on Wikipedia! WOOT! it’s sounding good, but I’m just used to the cover by The Brothers Johnson...which is a bit more upbeat. Badass song either way!!! 👍❤️🙏🌞❗️❗️
I had the original recording. Strawberry Letter 23 was a song on Shuggie Otis’ album entitled, “Freedom Flight”. The songs from it were repackaged years later and given a different album name.
I knew it
Great rendition of a great song & he looks so much like his dad. Both are legends.
Shugie created this song -- the brothers johnson (and others) versions are remakes ;)
He and his father Johnny Otis are national treasures!
I have heard “Strawberry Letter 23” dozens of times as background Muzak in stores, malls, and markets. I remember hearing it once on an elevator once. I wanted to explain it to the other people in the elevator, but they didn’t seem very sociable and there was no time to do it. I really hope that Shuggie kept the rights to this song, because it’s still being played-not a little, but a lot.
The most common cover is by the Brothers Johnson, who were pretty tight with Shuggie. George Johnson was dating one of Shuggie’s cousins, who handed him a copy. He and Louis fell in love with it and did the cover, which is what’s popularly played the most. Louis Johnson played Shuggie’s original for his own wedding. Although Louis is no longer with us, I believe both Shuggie and George remain tight.
And Shuggie has said that cover has been financially lucrative for him and has helped pay some bills over the years, for which he'll always be thankful.......
Shuggie has the best smile in the world.
These kids today no nothing about the original anything in music...but TH-cam is taking them to school. Real artist on stage here.
One of the greatest and advanced guitar solos.
Totally agree
So cool to see him and his son playing those guitar parts!
@@colorcomplex That's his son? Wow that makes it even more amazing. How cool!
True !!!!
Wow hearing it live makes it even better. Epic solo......
Shuggie played bass on Frank Zappa’s “Hot Rats” album, on the track “Peaches En Regalia” when he was FIFTEEN years old!! He was playing in his old man Johnny Otis’ band when he was 11!! He wore a fake moustache and dark glasses to disguise how young he was so he could play in the nightclubs his dad played in!
Wow
Without a doubt one of my all time favorite songs of ANY genre!
He wrote thiz 🎉 when he was 18.
Wow, I just learned about him today.. I wish I could call my brother and ask him about Shuggie😢
Shuggie still going strong, Love this song Thank you 🍓🍓🍓❤️❤️❤️
What a voice! And at 61.
His son can’t keep up with old man on that solo lick. A shuggie signature that one.
One of the baddest talents ever and he was bringing the goods,respect
Wow.. easily one of the greatest guitarists of all time
How beautiful,I only knew the Brothers Johnson's version,this makes it much better.
He did the original back in 1971, he was 18 yrs old when he wrote it!!!!
that solo always get me.
Since minute 2:58 is heaven
Shuggie's voice has a similar timbre to Johnny Otis. I guess they are half-brothers? Both are Otis' and have played together a lot. I first heard Johnny Otis on TV in about 1956 when I was 10. I loved him.
Johnny is Shuggies father
THE GREAT Johnny Otis was Shuggies dad.
Shuggie, you the best, man!
Mr. Otis is a great blues guitar man.
This is cool. Just pure cool. The personification of Cool.
These guys are SG strong. One of the great guitars of all time.
Other than the neck dive!
Shuggie one of the greatest ever. So was his daddy, the immortal Johnny Otis. We are all blessed to have lived in the times when these angelic musical geniuses gave us their gifts.
But what I'd like to know is, who's that bass player? He's incredible!
Heard his dad passed for black back in the day
@@rwwdzzm5608 "Passed" for black? No, my friend, the great Johnny Otis was a Greek-American kid who grew up in a Black neighborhood, loved and absorbed Black culture, especially the music. And when it came time to take a side between his Black friends and neighbors and white supremacists, he chose the former. His HS principal told him he had to stop hanging with his Black friends or be expelled, so he quit school and became a great musician. And said after that event, ""As a kid I decided that if our society dictated that one had to be black or white, I would be black."
Always knew he was the composer from The Brothers Johnson album credits (We used ta read those back then😆) but never got to see him until TH-cam and noticed The Brothers Johnson version (Gm) is a whole step down from the original (Am)
I didn’t know he made the original song!
He wrote it as a teenager
I fucking love that solo its my favorite part of the song
facts!
I so love this song it was created one year before I enter this world it was my traveling music as I entered into this world especially the guitar solo part pure dopeness 😁💪🏿✌🏿❤👑
Love this and the BJ version hell I like the song full stop! 😉
Mannn I wanted to know about a sample of Tupac "Lord knows" and ended up here 🤦 braaaa!!! Just the guitar alone, I'm just blown away by!!! WOW!!!! Awww yeah"85" baby here but I know good music when I hear it though!!! 💯🔥😎💪🏼
Superb
Amazing performance, did he ever perform with Brothers Johnson?
Ended up here from pretty lights - rainbows and waterfalls…. Wow. What a legend
Shit sends chillz through me
Excellent. Come back to the US!
An amazing song.
Love the climax
Love his original nobody does it better than Shuggie. I’ve always wondered if another of my favorite guitarists Jon Butcher Axis was influenced by Shuggie?
Rock on Shuggie
Mind. Blown. 🤯❤
Awesome song.
Love it especially the last minute
Sounds amazing
Beautiful.
absolute chills all through my body.. this is pure magic.
Maybe my best influence in guitar playing... He is great!
just found you. what a joy.
How cool is this band ,, good old TH-cam , just came across this video
So so beautiful❤
Ok, that was special I'd say. Thank you Shuggie!
The og. Love the bros Johnson version too but this one right here mmm
wow la claque tout le band est au top. merci pour le partage
WOW!!!! So Dope
Amazing
💕 💞 💓 💗 💖
I heard the brothers johnson version when I was about 12. Proggy elements in this song for sure
Shuggie > The Brother Jones
+Abhishek Prasad The Brothers Johnson*
+Erick Arias sorry haha
***** No problem.
Raphael Saadiq and even Beyonce Know who is...so did the members of Ohio Players, Earth, Wind & Fire, Rick James, etc...he was doing what they call Punk funk ...at the same time and even before some famous names...the music industry tried to pigeonhole him into R&B ....he was beyond that..,you can also see that He influenced Prince!
the original creator of this song that the Brothers Johnson remade
Thank you Cleo!
this is why i write songs on you tube
Nice touch to add the Johnson slap lines in the original
The Brothers Johnson made this song popular.
I always liked Shuggie's cover best!
Wait til you find out it’s the original 😁
❤
damn sounds like that glockenspiel player's in a hurry for sure
Lol
Damn.
@TIRA....... love the handle. very cool. (too afraid to join though)
I like this better than the Brothers Johnsons version...wow
I had only heard of him because of Jdilla
The bass player wants to be Louis Johnson so bad!!!
The bass player does not have to be anybody but himself....Big Game James Manning is a MONSTER on that bass!!! You probably heard him every day on the theme song to "The Bernie Mac Show"...that's him on bass.
@@markbond7874 nice
....ahhh nope💭
I think that's his brother playing drums.
brown freddie mercury
Nice hearing the author playing his own song, but "Strawberry letter 23" will forever belong to The Brothers Johnson.
サンタナみたいに成ってるぅ？
Yikes
The keyboard player needs to sing in support to Shuggie NOT try to take the lead. Shuggie is having to chase this fool keyboard player instead of the keyboardist staying in his lane to support Shuggie. Geez!!!
You should get rid of the satanic symbol. Won't be liking or subscribing because of it, as much as I love Shuggie Otis.
Really????? The Cleopatra Records logo?
@@michellerader7702 They got rid of it. I commented 5 months ago, but if I remember correctly it was the freemason, luciferian triangle with the all seeing eye. Actually when you play the vid, it's at the bottom left.
@@LLulu145 appreciate you for seeing that
who are here after watching jayz motivation video
Who is jayz
loose vocals.
I bet he hates this song!
Quite the contrary; Shuggie has openly given thanks to the cover by The Brothers Johnson for paying some bills over some rough stretches, and he's still getting paid for it even today!
😖😖😖😖😖just threw up in my mouth 🤢🤢🤢🤢
Clicked on expecting blues. Disappointed.
the bassist's armpits
intense
+Francisco Quezada Now that's power.
Funk-y