Johnny Otis (December 28, 1921 – January 17, 2012), born Ioannis Alexandres Veliotes (Greek: Ιωάννης Αλέξανδρος Βελιώτης), was a Greek American singer, musician, composer, bandleader, record producer, talent scout, and preacher. He was a seminal influence on American R&B and rock and roll. He discovered numerous artists early in their careers who went on to become highly successful in their own right, including Little Esther Phillips, Etta James, Alan O'Day, Big Mama Thornton, Johnny Ace, Jackie Wilson, Little Willie John, Hank Ballard, and The Robins, Sugar Pie Desanto, among many others. Otis has been called the "Godfather of Rhythm and Blues".