Otis Leavill

about

Otis Leavill (February 8, 1937 - July 17, 2002) was a Chicago based American soul singer, songwriter and record company executive who was most active in the mid 1960's through the early 70's. Otis released his first single, "Ride Sally Ride" coupled with "I Gotta Right To Cry" - written by childhood friend, Curtis Mayfield - on the small Lucky label in 1963. Leavill recorded a smattering of mid 60's material still played on the Northern Soul circuit via soul labels like the Mercury affiliated Limelight and Smash imprints, as well as Blue Rock Records. His greatest contributions to music may have been as a talent scout and assistant producer at both Okeh and Brunswick, where he was credited with discovering The Chi-Lites, The Vibrations, Tyrone Davis, Hamilton Bohannon, and apparently passed on a young Yvette Stevens who became better known as Chaka Khan. In 1967 Leavill's partner Carl Davis formed Dakar Records, and Leavill joined him as Vice-President. in addition to A&R duties, Leavill also recorded with Dakar, and in 1969 "I Love You", written by Eugene Record of The Chi-Lites with backing vocals by Barbara Acklin, became his biggest chart hit, reaching # 10 on the R&B charts. The follow-up, "Love Uprising", also written by Eugene Record (and credited to "Otis Leaville"), again made the charts hitting #19 R&B and number 72 Pop. Later offerings on Brunswick, Contempo & Columbia were unsuccessful, but Leavill continued to work with, and write songs for soul artists li

top songs

albums

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Brunswick Essentials

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Brunswick Top 40 R&B Singles 1966-1975

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100 Hits - Northern Soul Disc 5

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Soul With A Hole Vol. 1

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Brunswick Lost Soul, Vol. 1

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Brunswick Lost Soul, Vol. 2

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Kent 034 - Soul Uprising

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Windy City Soul - Smooth 70s Soul From Chicago

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Brunswick Top 40 Singles 1966-1975

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100 Hits - Northern Soul [Disc 5]

100 Hits - Northern Soul

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Soul Galore (Disc 2)

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