Otis Blackwell

Otis Blackwell
Background information
Also known asJohn Davenport
Born(1931-02-16)February 16, 1931
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
DiedMay 6, 2002(2002-05-06) (aged 71)
Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)Songwriter, singer, pianist
Years active1950s–2002
LabelsRCA, Groove, Atlantic

Otis Blackwell (February 16, 1931 – May 6, 2002) was an American songwriter whose work influenced rock and roll. His compositions include "Fever" (recorded by Little Willie John), "Great Balls of Fire" and "Breathless" (recorded by Jerry Lee Lewis), "Don't Be Cruel", "All Shook Up", and "Return to Sender" (with Winfield Scott; recorded by Elvis Presley), and "Handy Man" (recorded by Jimmy Jones).[1]

  1. ^ "Otis Blackwell – Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved November 20, 2006.