R&B legends Johnny Otis (1921-2012) and Etta James (1938-2012) died within three days of each other and were closely linked. Otis discovered James when she was barely 15 years old. In addition to being a talent scout, bandleader, songwriter, percussionist, producer and pastor, Otis was also a DJ who regaled us over the airwaves for 50 years. I was privileged to listen to him when he broadcast on KPFA in the 90s. He had an infectious joy, a knowledge of the music, and a feeling for community that has greatly inspired my own broadcasting. Thank you, Etta and Johnny!
| Hour 1 | |||
| Artist | Song | Album | Year |
| R.E.M. | Maps & Legends | Fables of the Reconstruction | 1985 |
| Johnny Otis | Boogie Guitar | Midnight at the Barrelhouse: 1948-1950 | |
| Amos Milburn | Bad, Bad Whiskey | 1950 | |
| Johnny Otis | All Nite Long | The Original Johnny Otis Show | 1951 |
| Los Lobos | Shakin’ Shakin’ Shakes | El Cancionero | 2000 |
| Patty Griffin | Move Up | Downtown Church | 2010 |
| Madness | Dust Devil | The Liberty of Norton Folgate | 2009 |
| Johnny Otis | Hand Jive ’85 | Otisology | 1995 |
| The Pretenders | Break Up the Concrete | Break Up the Concrete | 2008 |
| R.E.M. | 1,000,000 | Dead Letter Office | 1987 |
| Modest Mouse | Fire It UP | We Were Dead Before the Ship | 2007 |
| Even Sank | |||
| Etta James | Love & Happiness/Take Me To | Burnin’ Down the House–Live at | 2002 |
| The River/My Funny Valentine | the House of Blues | ||
| Etta James | Let Me Down Easy | The Dreamer | 2011 |
| Hour 2 | |||
| Artist | Song | Album | Year |
| Mavis Staples | Wrote a Song for Everyone | You Are Not Alone | 2010 |
| Joe Cocker | With a Little Help From My Friends | 1968 | |
| Big Mama Thornton | Hound Dog | 1952 | |
| Tom Waits | Come On Up to the House | Mule Variations | 1999 |
| Johnny Otis | Cupid’s Boogie | 1950 | |
| Ruth Brown | Mama, He Treats Your | The Essentials: Ruth Brown | 1953 |
| Daughter Mean | |||
| Johnny Otis | Beer Bottle Boogie | R&B Caravan 1950-1952 | |
| M. Ward | To Save Me | Hold Time | 2009 |
| Paul Simon | One Man’s Ceiling is Another | There Goes Rhymin’ Simon | 1973 |
| Man’s Floor | |||
| TV on the Radio | Keep Your Heart | 9 Types of Light | 2011 |
| Sam Cooke | Touch the Hem of His Garment | Sam Cooke with the Soul Stirrers | 1965 |
| Sufjan Stevens | He Woke Me Up Again | Seven Swans | 2004 |
| The New Pornographers | We End Up Together | Together | 2010 |
