Woke Up Feelin' The Blues...

Woke up this morning thinking about the drive that Josie and I took the other day. You see, there is a neighborhood here in Los Angeles, CA., where quite a few of the great black actors and actresses and musicians lived during the 20's, 30's, 40's, and 50's. They called it "Sugar Hill".
It's located in the 1900 block of S. Harvard, just off of Washington Blvd. Oh, the houses were so grand!

Well, we got so excited to see where Hattie McDaniel, Louise Beaver and Johnny Otis once lived.
Johnny Otis has always fascinated me because he absolutely could rock some drums! He was also very easy on the eyes.

Now, Johnny Otis is Greek, but he grew up in a predominantly black neighborhood up north in Vallejo, CA. He knew and understood and was accepted by black people because, let's face it, Johnny Otis had swagger! He was, and is so talented!

Johnny Otis had mad skills on and off the stage. He discovered and worked with great artists like , Louie Jordan, ,
The Robins(who later became The Coasters), Esther Phillips,and the Great , (and later on in his career, ).

Most probably remember the 6ft tall, Big Mama Thornton famous for "Hound Dog" and "Ball and Chain".












Do yourself a favor, take that drive to "Sugar Hill", if you can. After that, keep on driving down town and visit Ms. Biddie Mason's Wall on 333. Spring St. It will give you an idea of the endless possibilities that we all have within the grasp of our hands.

Truly,
C