Otis Day and the Knights was a fictional R&B band shown performing in the 1978 movie ''

National Lampoon's Animal House ''National Lampoon's Animal House'' is a 1978 American comedy film directed by John Landis and written by Harold Ramis, Douglas Kenney and Chris Miller. It stars John Belushi, Tim Matheson, John Vernon, Verna Bloom, Thomas Hulce, and ...

''. Following the success of the film the actor portraying the group's lead singer acquired the rights to the name and created a real musical act that toured and recorded an album during the 1980s.

Career

Several actors and musicians were hired to portray the members of a band for two scenes in ''National Lampoon's Animal House''. This fictional group performed the songs " Shout" and "

Shama Lama Ding Dong "Shama Lama Ding Dong" is a song written by and performed by fictional band Otis Day and the Knights in the 1978 film ''National Lampoon's Animal House''. Although Otis Day was portrayed by DeWayne Jessie in the film, the lead vocals were actuall ...

". Both songs were recorded for the movie by uncredited studio vocalist Lloyd G. Williams, and lip synched by actor

DeWayne Jessie DeWayne Jessie (a.k.a. "Otis Day") is an American character actor best known for his portrayal of fictional frontman Otis Day of Otis Day and the Knights in '' National Lampoon's Animal House''. In the movie, the songs " Shama Lama Ding Dong" a ...

in the part of the group's frontman during filming. Backing vocals for the soundtrack recording were provided by Melvin Britt and

Sidney Justin Sidney Arthur Justin, sometimes spelled Sydney Justin (born August 14, 1954), is an American former professional gridiron football defensive back, singer and songwriter. He played for the Los Angeles Rams, Winnipeg Blue Bombers, and Baltimore C ...

Robert Cray Robert William Cray (born August 1, 1953) is an American blues guitarist and singer. He has led his own band and won five Grammy Awards. Early life Robert Cray was born on August 1, 1953, in Columbus, Georgia, while his father was stationed at ...

was one of the members of the band, seen playing bass in the movie. In the 1980s, DeWayne Jessie purchased the rights to the band's name from Universal Studios and formed a real-life version of the band with some of his family members and toured the country for years afterward, with Jessie maintaining his role as lead singer Otis Day. They recorded an album, produced by George Clinton, that came out in 1989 titled ''Shout'' which flopped, but included updated versions of "Shout" and "Shama Lama Ding Dong". DeWayne Jessie's brother was Obediah "Young" Jessie of

The Flairs The Flairs (or Flares) were an United States, American doo-wop musical ensemble, group known for their 1961 hit "Foot Stompin', Pt. 1." Based in Los Angeles, they went through several lineup changes during their existence. Their notable members i ...

and

The Coasters The Coasters are an American rhythm and blues/rock and roll vocal group who had a string of hits in the late 1950s. With hits including "Searchin'", "Young Blood (The Coasters song), Young Blood", "Charlie Brown (The Coasters song), Charlie Bro ...

Career

Discography

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