Rhythm and blues legend Otis Clay dies in Chicago at age 73

CHICAGO – Rhythm and blues artist Otis Clay, a hall of fame musician who also was a community activist on Chicago’s West Side, has died. He was 73.

Miki Mulvehil was the one-time Grammy nominee’s manager. She told The Associated Press that Clay died of a heart attack about 6:30 p.m. Friday.

Mulvehil says Clay was preparing an upcoming gospel tour and had been nominated for two Blues Music Awards – one for his album with Billy Price and one for soul blues music artist.

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Clay was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2013.

Mulvehil says Clay was not only a great musician but a humanitarian, working on charitable causes. He often performed his 1993 standard, “When the Gates Swing Open” for funerals.