Otha Young

Robert Otha Young) (May 10, 1943 – August 6, 2009) was an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, producer and the longtime musical partner of country-pop artist Juice Newton.

They headlined at Mountain Charlie's in Los Gatos and other steak & lobster joints around the San Francisco Bay Area, including the Rusty Pelican in Oakland.

Later they decided to make a career move by playing the Rusty Pelican in Newport Beach.

As a songwriter, Young was best known for Juice Newton's #1 hit from 1982, "The Sweetest Thing (I've Ever Known)", which reached the top spot on both Billboard's "Adult Contemporary" and "Hot Country" charts, as well as reaching #7 on the Hot 100, remaining in the Top 40 for 18 weeks.

Otha Young died on August 6, 2009, at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center from lung cancer.