CHICAGO (CelebrityAccess) — Gospel, R&B and Soul singer Otis Clay, who recorded hits such as "Trying To Live My Life Without You," and "All Because Of Your Love," died on January 8th after suffering a heart attack. He was 73.
His management confirmed Clay's death on his official site, asking fans to "please keep the Clay family in your prayers."
Born in Mississippi, Clay transplanted to Muncie, Indiana with his family and started singing with local gospel groups, eventually making his way to Chicago, where he performed with groups such as the Famous Blue Jay Singers, and the Golden Jubilaires.
In 1965, Clay signed with One-derful! Records in Chicago and later, Atlantic Records, and started to record secular material, achieving his first hit with the 1967 release "That's How It Is (When You're In Love)", which reached # 34 on the US Billboard R&B chart. In 1968, he recorded "She's About A Mover", which became his biggest hit, reaching #97 on the Billboard Hot 100, but he found less traction with later releases on Atlantic.
In 1971, he signed with Hi Records and continued to record, finding chart successes with hits such as "Trying To Live My Life Without You" (1972) and his final national hit with "All Because Of Your Love" ()1977).
Clay continued to perform, both in the U.S. and abroad, finding fans both in Europe and Japan, and continued to record both secular and gospel material, including the 2007 album Walk A Mile In My Shoes, which earned him a Grammy nomination for Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance.
In 2013 Clay was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame.
Services will be held for Mr. Clay at Liberty Baptist Church in Chicago on Jan 16th and his management said a tribute concert is being planned in his memory. – Staff Writers
