Otis Ray Redding, Jr. (September 9, 1941 – December 10, 1967) was an R&B singer/songwriter, record producer, arranger, and talent scout. He is considered one of the greatest singers in the history of popular music and was a major figure in 1960s soul. His singing style influenced other soul artists, and he helped to craft the Stax sound. After appearing at the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival, he wrote and recorded (Sittin On) The Dock of the Bay with Steve Cropper, which became the first posthumous #1 hit on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Soul charts after his death in a plane crash. Redding also wrote and produced Arthur Conleys #2 smash, Sweet Soul Music. Born and raised in Georgia, Redding left school at 15 to support his family by working with Little Richards backing band, the Upsetters, and by performing at talent shows for prize money. In 1958, he joined Johnny Jenkins band, the Pinetoppers, and toured the Southern United States as a driver and musician. In 1961, Redding enjoyed a regional hit down south, Shout Bamalama, on King Records. An unscheduled appearance on a Stax recording session led to a contract and his first charted single, These Arms of Mine, in 1963. Initially popular mainly with African-Americans, Redding later reached the broader pop audience. He and his group first played small gigs in the South, then performed at the Whisky a Go Go nightclub in Los Angeles. Redding later performed in London, Paris, and other European cities. His premature death devastated a nearly-bankrupt Stax, which later discovered that Atlantic Records owned the rights to Reddings entire catalog. Redding received many posthumous accolades, including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and induction into both the Rock & Roll and Songwriters Halls of Fame. He also received the honorific, The King of Soul.
Posted on: Mon, 10 Nov 2014 16:13:40 +0000
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