February 18th, 2021

Otis Redding (September 9, 1941 - December 10, 1967) was a popular & critically acclaimed American singer and songwriter who is considered one of the most influential and formative singers in soul music and rhythm and blues.

Otis was born in Macon, Georgia and quit school at the age of 15 to help support his family financially after his father contracted Tuberculosis. Otis started working multiple jobs while simultaneously starting to play at local shows at the historic Douglass Theatre in Macon, Georgia. Otis would participate in the talent show at the Douglass and won the contest 15 times in a row, prompting him to be barred from winning the event so others could have a chance at the $5 reward! Otis also met his loving wife Zelma Atwood, whom he later had 4 children with, when they were teenagers at an event at the Douglass Theatre.

By 1962 at just 21 years of age, Otis received his first contract and recorded his first hit single, "These Arms of Mine" and by 1964, Otis released his debut album "Pain in my Heart." With his first album release, Otis was able to reach broader fame and mainstream appeal and became popular with a wider audience, transitioning from mostly local touring to touring in major world cities such as LA, London, Paris, San Francisco and more.

While on tour in 1967, at the young age of 26, Otis Redding recorded his critically acclaimed hit "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay". (Otis Redding - Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay) Perhaps his most influential and successful record, it sold more than 4 million copies worldwide and won two Grammy awards. (Otis would later go on to be awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999 as well). Sittin' On the Dock of the Bay also ranks #26 on the Rolling Stone's Top 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Fun fact, he also wrote Aretha Franklin's "Respect," which comes in at Number 5 on this same list, in addition to being listed as #8 on Rolling Stone's "100 Greatest Singers of all Time" list. Pretty impressive resume! On December 10th 1967, two days after recording (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay, Otis' plane tragically crashed while en route to a performance with his band in Wisconsin. The crash killed all but one aboard the plane. Otis was survived by his wife Zelma and four children, Otis III, Dexter, Demetria, and Karla. Although taken far, far too soon, his influence and impact would sing throughout the years, including with his own children, who carried on their father's legacy with a band called The Reddings, which released 6 funk, soul, and disco records in the 1980's.

Otis was a brilliant life worth celebrating and I cannot help but wonder what he could have accomplished with the rest of his years. With a legacy already so immense, it’s hard to imagine the full influence he could have had if not taken from the world so soon. I like to think that Otis may be sitting, resting peacefully somewhere - perhaps on a dock - wasting some time and watching the ships roll in. For now, I'll put on his record and raise a toast to the life of Otis Redding and reflect on the legacy that he left with us all. Cheers Otis.

Otis Redding - Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay