Otis Rush Jr. (April 29, 1934 – September 29, 2018) was an American blues guitarist and singer-songwriter. His distinctive guitar style featured a slow-burning sound and long bent notes. With qualities similar to the styles of other 1950s artists Magic Sam and Buddy Guy, his sound became known as West Side Chicago blues and was an influence on many musicians, including Michael Bloomfield, Peter Green and Eric Clapton.
Rush was left-handed and played as such; however, his guitars were strung with the low E string at the bottom, upside-down from typical guitarists. He often played with the little finger of his pick hand curled under the low E for positioning. It is widely believed that this contributed to his distinctive sound. He had a wide-ranging, powerful tenor voice.
instruments played
Guitar
Vocals
Also Known As
Little Otis
Associated Acts
Buddy Guy, Magic Sam, Eddy Clearwater, Willie Dixon, Jesse Fortune
Birth Name
Otis Rush Jr.
Genres
Blues, Chicago blues, R&B
Labels
Cobra, Chess, Duke, Vanguard, Cotillion, Bullfrog, Black & Blue, P-Vine Records Delmark, Sonet, Blind Pig
Website
Years Active
1956 2003
Name
Otis Rush
Nationality
United States of America