Died On This Date (January 8, 2008) Clyde Otis / Prolific Songwriter and Label Exec
themusicsover Clyde Otis
September 11, 1924 – January 8, 2008
Clyde Otis was a successful songwriter, producer and label executive who, over the course of his career, is said to have written or co-written over 800 songs. He was most closely associated with Brook Benton with whom he collaborated on many hit recordings. He also worked with the likes of Dinah Washington, Timi Yuro and Sarah Vaughan. His songs have been recorded by such artists as Elvis Presley, Johnny Mathis and Aretha Franklin. And in 1994, Natalie Cole’s Take A Look, won him a Grammy as producer. Clyde Otis was 83 when he passed away on January 8, 2008.
Willie Mitchell is best remembered as the esteemed producer who helped develop the Memphis soul sound of the ’60s and beyond. Mitchell learned to play the trumpet as a child and by the time he was in high school he was playing in local jazz bands. He soon formed his own band that reportedly performed at numerous New Years Eve parties at 
John Atterberry was a respected music manager, publisher, and promoter who began his career at Tabu Records where he worked in A&R. After a short detour into the fashion industry, Atterberry was named Vice President of Death Row Records where he was instrumental to the success of such acts as Snoop Dog,