From:   "Dik de Heer" 
Date:  Sun Jun 2, 2002  2:05 am
Subject:  Born To Be With You : Otis Williams

OTIS WILLIAMS (By Shaun Mather)

Born 2 June 1936, Cincinnati, Ohio

Otis Williams, not to be confused with the Temptations' Otis Williams, was
one of the most successful and beautiful lead vocalists of all the doo-wop
vocal groups of the 1950's. He formed his group The Charms whilst attending
Withrow High School in the early 50's, performing in a school variety show.
A talent scout spotted the group and immediately signed them to King Records
of Cincinnati. The youngsters had a national hit record before they'd even
graduated. Williams was also a talented athlete who was offered a contract
to play baseball for the Cincinnati Reds, but he chose a music career instead.
He went from strength to strength with the Charms, enjoying hits with Hearts
of Stone (# 1 R&B), Ling Ting Tong, Ivory Tower, Two Hearts, Two Kisses,
That's Your Mistake and United. As well as singing he had some success
as an arranger and producer, working on classics like The Twist for Hank
Ballard & The Midnighters, and Little Willie John's Fever.
He has worked hard to support less fortunate singers with charity work and
has taken his music around the world. I saw him at Hemsby a couple of
years ago and his classy voice was still intact. No histrionics were required
on-stage, just a great voice and some great songs, the crowd loved him.

Recommended listening:
30 Of Their Favourites - USA King Tut
The Original Rockin And Chart Masters - Ace 531
Homepage: http://www.otiswilliamshischarms.bigstep.com/