AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Otis Rush

Artist:Otis Rush
Song:I Can't Quit You Baby
Album:Double Trouble




Otis Rush is a pioneer of the West Side Chicago blues style. He scored a top ten R & B hit with his very first single I Can't Quit You Baby in 1956. It is his signature song. Though not as well known as Buddy Guy or Magic Sam, Rush is equally worthy of attention. He was born Apr. 29, 1935 in Philadelphia, MS. Rush moved to Chicago in 1948 and made his name playing clubs in the early 50s. His early recordings were on Cobra Records. Cobra was owned by record store owner Eli Toscano. Legendary producer Willie Dixon was unhappy at Chess Records. So Toscano hired him to run Cobra. I Can't Quit You Baby was Cobra's first single and it was a top ten R & B hit. Magic Sam and Ike Turner were also among those who recorded for Cobra. But Rush was probably Cobra's top artist and he recorded several singles and they are all on this budget comp. He wasn't enough to keep Cobra afloat and they closed in 1959. Dixon returned to Chess. Rush recorded a few singles for Chess. He also recorded for Duke and Vanguard. His 1969 album on Cotillion Mourning in the Morning was produced by Mike Bloomfield and Nick Gravenites and is worth checking out. He signed with Capitol but had to buy back one of his masters when they wouldn't release the album. Rush recorded for Delmark and Sonet in the 70s but then he retired in 1979. Rush returned in 1985 and recorded for Blind Pig, Alligator and Evidence. And he was a tremendous live draw especially in Europe. He continued to tour and record occasionally until a 2004 stroke forced him into retirement. Here's Otis Rush performing I Can't Quit You Baby in the 60s probably in Europe.