Otis Ray Redding Jr. (September 9, 1941 – December 10,
1967) was an American singer, songwriter, record producer, arranger, and talent
scout. He is considered one of the greatest singers in the history of American
popular music and a seminal artist in soul music (more about Soul on by Blog) and rhythm and blues.
Redding's style of singing gained inspiration from the gospel music that
preceded the genre. His singing style influenced many other soul artists of the
1960s, such as James Carr and Freddie Jackson. (Woodstra and Elewine) During
his lifetime, his recordings were produced by Stax Records, based in Memphis,
Tennessee.
Born and raised in the US state of Georgia, Redding quit
school at age 15 to support his family, working with Little Richard's backing
band, the Upsetters, and performing at talent shows for prize money. In 1958,
he joined Johnny Jenkins's band, the Pinetoppers, with whom he toured the
Southern states as a singer and driver. An unscheduled appearance on a Stax
recording session led to a contract and his first single, "These Arms of
Mine", in 1962.
Stax released Redding's debut album, Pain in My Heart,
two years later. Initially popular mainly with African-Americans, Redding later
reached a wider American pop music audience. Along with his group, he first
played small gigs in the American South. He later performed at the popular Los
Angeles night club Whisky a Go Go and toured Europe, performing in London,
Paris and other major cities. He also performed at the Monterey Pop Festival in
1967.
Shortly before his death in a plane crash, Redding wrote
and recorded his iconic "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" with Steve
Cropper. The song became the first posthumous number-one record on both the
Billboard Hot 100 and R&B charts. The album The Dock of the Bay was the
first posthumous album to reach number one on the UK Albums Chart. Redding's
premature death devastated Stax. Already on the verge of bankruptcy, the label
soon discovered that Atlantic Records owned the rights to his entire song
catalog.
Redding received many posthumous accolades, including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. In addition to "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay," "Respect" and "Try a Little Tenderness" are among his best-known songs.
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