Otis Redding was known as the voice of soul music and recognized by his grainy voice and electrifying stage presence. He’s considered to be one of the best singers in music history and influenced the 1960s with his jazz, funk and soul-based arrangements. He was born in 1941 in Georgia where he grew up listening to singer-songwriters like Sam Cooke and Little Richard. He even joined Little Richard’s backing band, The Upsetters, in the late 1950s.
In the early 1960s, Redding started to record some of his first songs, including “Shout Bamalama” and “These Arms of Mine” which reached the number 20 spot on the R&B charts in 1963. Redding continued his work at Memphis’s Stax studios where he composed his own songs, wrote lyrics, and played guitar.
Redding wrote many of his biggest songs like “Mr. Pitiful,” “Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa (Sad Song),” “I Can’t Turn You Loose,” and “My Lover’s Prayer.” In just one day, he recorded his album "Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul." He also collaborated with other popular artists; he released a duet album with Carla Thomas and produced Arthur Conley’s “Sweet Soul Music.”
Four days after Redding recorded his famous “(Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay,” he and his band, the Bar-Keys, died in a plane crash. Three albums of his recordings were released posthumously.
Otis Redding became a soul legend, inspiring artists from varying genres and generations. His distinct songwriting style inspired Mick Jagger from The Rolling Stones. And Redding reciprocated the love by covering “Satisfaction” by The Rolling Stones. His direct style of lyric writing also inspired Jim Morrison from The Doors. His jazz, funk and soul approach even influenced modern hip hop and R&B artists like Kanye West, Sampha, and Tyler, The Creator.
Redding wrote and co-wrote classic songs like “Respect” and “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long,” which were sung by Aretha Franklin and Etta James, respectively. “Respect” became a legendary song and influenced artists of the ‘60s.
Redding’s biggest hit, “(Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay” is known for impacting the soul movement with his combination of traditional rhythm and blues with folk music. He died a month before the song was released. The song became his most popular song and became the first posthumous #1 single in the U.S..
Redding’s emotional and distinct voice would create an immediate connection between him and his audience. His energy was unparalleled and his stage persona was electrifying and genuine. His performance style was loved by his fans. When he performed at the Monterey International Pop Festival, he was well-liked by the crowd. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989 and won the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grammy Awards in 1999.
