Born in South Africa, this dashing singer and actor rose to fame in Britain during the late 1950s and early 1960s, captivating audiences with his smooth voice and charming stage presence.
Starting his career at the tender age of nine, Lotis won a talent contest and went on to make numerous stage appearances, singing on radio and honing his craft.
After leaving school at fifteen, he briefly worked as a bus conductor and electrician before receiving a letter of introduction to the renowned bandleader Ted Heath, leading him to England and a position as a regular vocalist with the Heath orchestra.
As a crooner, Lotis's repertoire spanned jazz, pop, and rock 'n' roll, with his soulful ballads proving especially popular with female audiences.
In the mid-1950s, Lotis began his solo career, recording albums for Decca, Pye Nixa, and Columbia, and frequently appearing on BBC radio, touring the variety circuit, and performing at the prestigious London Palladium.
His career peaked in the 1960s, with regular appearances on TV pop music shows such as Six-Five Special and Dial for Music, as well as acting roles in films like The City of the Dead and Sword of Sherwood Forest.
As the musical landscape shifted and his popularity waned, Lotis reinvented himself as a restaurateur and antique store owner in the market town of Tring, Hertfordshire.
Although his singing career slowed, Lotis made a brief nostalgic comeback in the 1980s.
Lotis was married to the talented South African singer Alexandrena Maie (Rena) Mackie, with whom he had a loving partnership until her passing from cancer in 1997.
After remarrying, Lotis moved to North Norfolk, where he lived out his life until his passing on February 8, 2023, at the remarkable age of 97.
