Otis Redding King of Soul Music

Otis Redding, aka the King of Soul Music, died in an airplane crash in Madison, Wisconsin in 1967 – on his way to a concert performance in that internationally renowned college town. He left his final recording session in Memphis with the intention of getting back to work on a song he’d been working on (he still had to replace a whistled verse thrown in as a placeholder with additional lyrics that he’d yet to write). In the meantime, however, there was a television appearance to make in Cleveland, followed by a concert in Madison, Wisconsin. On its final approach to Madison on this day in 1967, however, the private plane carrying soul-music legend Otis Redding would crash into the frigid waters of a small lake three miles short of the runway, killing seven of the eight men aboard, including Redding. “Sittin’ On The Dock Of The Bay” would be released in its “unfinished” form several weeks later, with Redding’s whistled verse a seemingly indispensable part of the now-classic record. It would soon become history’s first posthumous #1 hit and the biggest pop hit of Redding’s career.”

– read more

The nineteen fifties were a time of change in America…perhaps not as overtly as  the following  decade, but just as instrumental in their own, more quiet way. One of the most important areas of change was popular music. For it was in the nineteen fifties that the marginalization of African American music ended once and for all.

The result was the recording and broadcasting of rhythm-and-blues and soul music; genres which have since become fixtures of the world music scene. One of the greatest singers to come out of this movement was Otis Redding.

Redding’s Personal Roots

As with many African American singers and musicians of that day, Mr. Redding’s musical roots were in church – where Sunday morning hymn singing was a key element of worship. Two key features of these hymns were a soul-stirringly sweet harmony and   a sense of teamwork between the soloist and the choir where the former knew quite well that it was his or her responsibility to set the pace but not to star.

Otis Redding was born to a gospel-singing father in the Deep South American state of Georgia. By the time his life ended  in a plane crash on his way to perform at a concert in Madison Wisconsin in 1967, he had left a mark on the music world that led to posthumous recognition of his towering achievements – Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award , induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and (induction into) the Songwriters Hall of Fame included.

Otis Redding’s Professional Roots

His less-than-royal entry into the rough and tumble  of popular music came with a trip to New York City in 1963 for the recording of the album T’aint Nuthin’ to Me.  As is often the case with entry-level artists, the going was rough. His stay at the less-than-four star Theresa Hotel and state of near-indigence were brightened  by the fortuitous receipt of a $100 bail-out from the great singer Ben E. King, who was performing with Otis and his group at the legendary Apollo Theater in Harlem. These early challenges soon gave way to something much better.

It was two record albums in 1965 that brought worldwide fame to Redding

Success at the international level was only two years away. 1965 saw the release of two blockbuster : The Great Otis Redding Sings Soul Ballads in the spring of that year and Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul in the autumn. It was the latter album that propelled him into the stratosphere of fame. One single, I’ve Been Loving You Too Long, was co-written with Jerry Butler in just one day.  Two of the album’s “cuts” – Shake and A Change Gonna Come – were the creation of Otis’s idol Sam Cooke, who had died just the year before the album was made. Another two songs – Ole Man Trouble and Respect – were written by Otis alone. (Respect, of course, was also popularized by Aretha Franklin).

Hit upon hit followed for Redding

There was also Wonderful World, co-written by the star along with the popular nineteen sixties composer and band leader Herb Alpert and a few other song writers. Then came Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones’ chart-busting version of  Satisfaction along with My Girl, a Smoky Robinson co-creation. These hits were followed in turn by Rock Me Baby co-written by Redding and bluesman B.B. King.  Last but by no means least came Down in the Valley and You Don’t Miss Your Water.

Although death took this great artist’s body in 1967, his legacy has been happily enshrined in The Big O Youth Educational Dream Foundation. Its mission is to “encourage individual and team participation, build self-esteem and improve discipline” for young people through its educational programs in the arts and humanities.

It can be contacted at 339 Cotton Avenue, Macon, GA 31201
Phone: 478-742-5737
Foundation@otisredding.com