- Father of blues artist/composer Shuggie Otis.
- His younger brother, Nicholas Veliotes, was the US ambassador to Jordan (1978-81) and Egypt (1984-86).
- Passed away three days before Etta James, whom he had discovered in the 1950s.
- Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Blues Hall of Fame (1994) (both under the category Non-Performer).
- Following his death, he was interred with his wife Phyllis Walker at Mountain View Cemetery in Altadena, CA.
- Parents are: Alexander J. Veliotes, and Irene Kiskates.
- Inducted into National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame in 2017.
- Survived by his wife, two sons, Nicholas Otis, Shuggie Otis, two daughters: Janice Johnson, Laura Johnson, nine grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and a great-great-child.
- Attended Berkeley High School in Berkeley, CA, but dropped out in his junior year.
- At one point, he was a staff producer for Duke Records.
- Startekd his own label, Eldo Records. Its biggest hit was probably "Image of a Girl" by The Safaris in 1960.
- Brother of Dorothy Veliotes, and Grandfather of Eric Otis.
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content