by John Funke / Backwoods, Saturdays 10 am – noon
Born in Mississippi where he began singing with various gospel groups, Otis Clay eventually signed with One-derful! Records in Chicago releasing some fine hard soul singles during the 1960s. He had his greatest success with the guidance of legendary producer Willie Mitchell at Hi Records in Memphis in 1972 and, in 1992, he paid a visit to the WMBR studios, interviewed by David Herwaldt on the Out of the Blues program. Still performing and recording until his death in 2016, Otis Clay will be remembered as a gentleman of soul and substance. Here he is on Soul Train singing his biggest hit, later recorded by Bob Seger, Trying to Live My Life Without You.