Otha Young (aka Robert O. Young) was an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, producer and the longtime musical partner of Grammy-Award winning country-pop artist Juice Newton.
In the early 1970s, Young and Newton began playing together and formed the band Juice Newton and Silver Spur in Los Angeles. By 1978, the band would evolve into Newton's solo act, with Young writing, playing and producing for Newton regularly until his death, although other artists recorded Young's songs as well.
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. According to Billboard, the song was #21 of the year's Hot 100 biggest hits.
Other Otha Young-penned Top-10 hits include: 1978's "Sweet, Sweet Smile" (The Carpenters), 1987's "Don't You" (Forester Sisters) and 1986's "What Can I Do With My Heart?" (Juice Newton).
Otha Young died on August 6, 2009, aged 66, at UCLA Medical Center from cancer; he is survived by his wife Brenda and their daughter Makena.