Rhythm and Blues Singer Otis Clay Dies at Age 73
Source: Associated Press
Hall of fame rhythm and blues artist Otis Clay, known as much for his big heart and charitable work in Chicago as for his singing internationally, died Friday. He was 73.
The Mississippi-born Clay — whose gruff, tenor-tinged voice on blues songs such as "Trying to Live My Life Without You" varied from his haunting but hopeful baritone on gospel standards like "When the Gates Swing Open" — died suddenly of a heart attack at 6:30 p.m., said his daughter, Ronda Tankson.
The one-time Grammy nominee had a year of touring planned behind recent records and recognition at May's 37th Blues Music Awards, manager Miki Mulvehill said. Clay is nominated for Soul-Blues Male Artist and Soul-Blues Album for "This Time for Real," his collaboration with Billy Price.
"Otis was the last standard-bearer for deep southern soul music, the really gospel-inflected music that was in its heyday in the late '60s and early and mid '70s," Price told The Associated Press on Saturday. "These styles change, and different styles are in the forefront, but Otis was just as strong in the past five years ... For that reason, he was an icon for a lot of us who work in this genre."
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Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/rhythm-blues-singer-otis-clay-dies-age-73-36186405
By JOHN O'CONNOR, ASSOCIATED PRESS
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Jan 9, 2016, 4:20 PM ET
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