[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 105 (Monday, July 29, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1459]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           RESOLUTION PAYING TRIBUTE TO MR. OTIS LEAVILL COBB

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 26, 2002

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, Otis Leavill was a friend of mine 
and a man that I admired and greatly respected. He was known to his 
fans for his smooth tenor voice, but Otis' greatest gift was his 
ability to simply be himself and in spite of fame as an entertainer and 
producer, he lived in what we fondly call the hood, the Garfield Park 
Community, and he was instrumental in helping a number of younger 
artists launch and develop their own careers.
  Otis Leavill Cobb, was born in Dewey Rose, GA. He arrived in Chicago 
as a youngster with his family. He lived on the westside, where his 
father was a minister and he and his siblings sang in a gospel group. 
By the late 50's and early sixties, Mr. Leavill Cobb was making his own 
mark, singing new R&B music under the name Otis Leavill, with a gospel 
feel. He was one of the people who put Chicago on the map in the soul 
music industry said W.L. Lilliard a television talk show host/producer 
and businessman, as well as a close fhend of Mr. Leavill's.
  Bob Pruter, the author of the book, ``Chicago Soul,'' said, when I 
was doing research for my book, I went to him because he knew 
everybody,
  Mr. (Leavill) Cobb wrote dozens of songs, and gained National 
attention in 1964 for singing, ``Let her Love Me,'' written by Billy 
Butler and produced by Major Lance, himself a noted recording artist. 
Two other singles, ``I Love You,'' and ``Love Uprising,'' made National 
charts.
  Mr. Leavill simply loved people and was happy to work behind the 
scenes, often teaming up with Carl Davis, Gus Redmond, W.L. Lilliard 
and other ``homeboys'' to make things happen. He was also an avid fan 
of gospel music and the church. He was sort of a folk hero and loved by 
his community. Mr. Cobb was a police officer in Maywood, and owned his 
own business.
  We extend best wishes to his family, wife, Minnie; his daughter, a 
son, Derrick, a sister, Evelyn Williams; three brothers, Maurice, 
Kenneth and Billie; and a granddaughter.
  Otis Leavill Cobb, a good entertainer, a Great American.

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