THE BROTHERS JOHNSON - Strawberry Letter 23

Shuggie Otis grew up in Los Angeles, California, and he learned to play guitar when he was two years old. His father was rhythm and blues pioneer Johnny Otis - a multi-talented musician and TV personality who discovered numerous artists including Jackie Wilson, Big Mama Thornton and Etta James. At twelve years old Shuggie was playing in his fathers band, disguising himself with and fake mustache and sunglasses so he could perform in clubs. In 1970, at seventeen, he released Here Comes Shuggie Otis, his first solo album. His second album, 1971's Freedom Flight, features the song he is most known for - Strawberry Letter 23. The song was a love letter to his girlfriend, and for this twenty-third letter the young lover penned a song. The number of letters to his girlfriend shows the strength of his love, he even refers to his Letter 22 in the song. Shuggie's album and song both charted well, getting the attention of producer Quincy Jones. In 1977 Jones produced The Brothers Johnson album Right On Time, which features a funkier pop version of Strawberry Letter 23. Their cover of the famous Otis love letter hit number one on the soul singles chart. In 1991 Jones produced another cover version of this song for thirteen-year old Tevin Campbell's debut album.