May 8, 2002 10:18

OTIS BLACKWELL DIES

A heart attack claims the life of the man credited with writing songs that sold over 185 million copies...

OTIS BLACKWELL, the man who wrote some of the most enduring classics in the rock and roll cannon, including 'RETURN TO SENDER', 'ALL SHOOK UP' and 'GREAT BALLS OF FIRE', died yesterday (May 6) from a heart attack. He was 70.

Blackwell is credited with writing songs that sold over 185 million copies. As well as tracks for Elvis Presley
and Jerry Lee Lewis, he also wrote for 'Fever' for Peggy Lee and 'Daddy Rolling Stone' for The Who.

Born in Brooklyn, Blackwell had originally planned a career as a singer. He often sang his songs before they were recorded by others and was believed by some to have a style that influenced for [a][/a].

'Brace Yourself! A Tribute to Otis Blackwell' was released in 1994, three years after he had a stroke. It featured the likes of Ronnie Spector, Debbie Harry and Kris Kristofferson covering his tracks.