A key figure in the rise of early rock & roll and R&B, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, Johnny Otis, was not only a drummer, but also a bandleader, historic nightclub owner, talent scout and songwriter, whose career stretched over half a century, no wonder he is called “the godfather of R&B”! These 27 vintage tracks are taken from his earliest recordings for the Excelsior and Savoy labels just as he was beginning to rise to stardom. These early Excelsior tracks (1945-1947) feature jazz-lover Otis, playing firmly in the big-band style of the day. And although Otis was not well-know at the time, his version of “Harlem Nocturne” became a minor hit. In 1948 Otis made history by founding the first strictly R&B club, the Barrelhouse, located in the predominately black neighborhood of Watts (Los Angeles), which soon became the premiere stage for new talent. By 1949 Otis had signed a contract with Savoy, and began recording in the R&B style. Tracks like: "Double Crossing Blues," "Mistrustin' Blues," and "Cupid's Boogie" went straight to number one, and in 1950 alone Otis had ten singles in the R&B Top Ten! These recordings, 1945-1951, commemorate one of America’s true musical talents.