Otis Day and the Knights
OriginU.S.A.
Genres

Otis Day and the Knights was a fictional R&B band shown performing in the 1978 movie National Lampoon's Animal House. Following the success of the film the actor portraying the group's lead singer acquired the rights to the name and created a real musical act that toured and recorded an album during the 1980s.

Career

Several actors and musicians were hired to portray the members of a band for two scenes in National Lampoon's Animal House. This fictional group performed the songs "Shout" and "Shama Lama Ding Dong". Both songs were recorded for the movie by uncredited studio vocalist Lloyd G. Williams, and lip synched by actor DeWayne Jessie in the part of the group's frontman during filming. Backing vocals for the soundtrack recording were provided by Melvin Britt and Sidney Justin. Robert Cray was one of the members of the band, seen playing bass in the movie. Gospel style "Shout" was written by the Isley Brothers.

In the 1980s, DeWayne Jessie purchased the rights to the band's name from Universal Studios and formed a real-life version of the band with some of his family members and toured the country for years afterward, with Jessie maintaining his role as lead singer Otis Day. They recorded an album, produced by George Clinton, that came out in 1989 titled Shout which flopped, but included updated versions of "Shout" and "Shama Lama Ding Dong".

DeWayne Jessie's brother was Obediah "Young" Jessie of The Flairs and The Coasters.

Discography

  • Shout (1989)

References

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