RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Otis Clay has been called to eternal life by the wisdom of God at the age of 73; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of his passing by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, Otis Clay was a Chicago music legend whose dynamic and versatile style spanned gospel, soul and rhythm and blues; and
WHEREAS, A native of Waxhaw, Mississippi, Otis Clay came to Chicago as a teenager in the mid-1950s to live with his aunt and uncle; and
WHEREAS, Otis Clay immersed himself in the local blues and gospel scene where he was inspired by the music of Muddy Waters, Sam Cooke, the Soul Stirrers and the Caravans; and
WHEREAS, By the age of 15 Otis Clay began signing with the Golden Jubilaires and by 1960 was touring with Charles Bridges' Famous Blue Jay Singers; and
WHEREAS, Otis Clay began recording in the 1960s and over the course of his singing career produced hits including That's How It Is (When You're in Love), Trying to Live My Life Without You and When the Gates Swing Open; and
WHEREAS, In 2013 Otis Clay was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, A man committed to excellence who maintained a high level of integrity, Otis Clay gave of himself fully to his family and was a loyal friend to many; and
WHEREAS, The immense talent and dedication of Otis Clay serve as an example to all; and
WHEREAS, His love of life and ability to live it to the fullest endeared Otis Clay to his family members, friends and all who knew him, and enabled him to enrich their lives in ways they will never forget; and
WHEREAS, Otis Clay was an individual of great integrity and accomplishment who will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by his many relatives, friends and admirers; and
WHEREAS, To his beloved family, Otis Clay imparts a legacy of faithfulness, service and dignity; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members of the Chicago City Council, assembled this thirteenth day of January, 2016, do hereby commemorat...
Click here for full text