Otis Spann (1930-1970) is seen by many as Chicago’s leading postwar blues pianist. Born in Jackson, Mississippi, Spann began playing by the age of eight. Once he grew older and settled in Chicago in 1946, Big Maceo Merriweather took the teenager under his wing, acting as a mentor, teacher and friend. In 1952, Spann joined the Muddy Waters band, playing as lead pianist until leaving to pursue a solo career in 1968. At this time, he passed the torch of the Waters band piano chair to Pinetop Perkins.

While on his own, Spann also did session work with artists such as Howlin’ Wolf, Bo Diddley, B.B. King, Eric Clapton, and Fleetwood Mac. Spann was stricken with liver cancer and died in 1970, but he has left behind an enviable legacy of blues. He was elected into the Blues Hall of Fame a decade later.