Otis Redding(1941 — 1967)
Otis Redding
États-Unis
8 min read
Otis Redding (1941-1967) was an American singer and songwriter, a major figure in 1960s soul music. An iconic voice on the Stax label in Memphis, he died prematurely in a plane crash at age 26, shortly after recording his greatest hit.
Frequently asked questions
Key Facts
- Born September 9, 1941, in Dawson, Georgia, he grew up in Macon.
- Signed with the Stax/Volt label in Memphis and became a leading figure of Southern soul in the mid-1960s.
- Triumphed at the Monterey Pop Festival in June 1967, expanding his audience beyond the African American community.
- Died on December 10, 1967, in a plane crash near Madison, Wisconsin, at age 26.
- His song “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay,” recorded three days before his death, was released in 1968 and became a worldwide posthumous hit.
Works & Achievements
His first commercial success that launched him to fame. This slow ballad of lost love showcases his ability to convey emotion through his deep, expressive voice.
A masterful reinterpretation of a classic song transformed into a timeless soul anthem. This song demonstrates Otis's versatility and talent as a performer.
A groundbreaking album that established his status as a major soul music artist. This album contains a mix of original compositions and reinterpretations of soul and blues standards.
A continuation of his success with an album marked by sophisticated orchestration and artistic maturity. This album shows his evolution as an artist and songwriter.
An original composition by Otis Redding that became an anthem of the civil rights movement. Aretha Franklin would cover this song two years later, creating two iconic versions.
A powerful ballad that showcases Otis Redding's emotional depth. This song was co-written with Jerry Butler and became one of his most memorable performances.
His final song, recorded three days before his death, and his greatest posthumous commercial success. This timeless composition with its signature whistling became a global classic.
Anecdotes
His greatest success, “(Sittin’ on) the Dock of the Bay,” was recorded just three days before his death in a plane crash on December 10, 1967. This song, which would become a timeless classic, reached number one on the charts posthumously, making it a landmark recording in American soul music.
Otis Redding had an exceptionally deep and powerful baritone voice, capable of conveying raw and authentic emotion. This rare vocal quality allowed him to reinvent standards and create his own memorable compositions, influencing generations of soul and R&B musicians.
In 1967, he performed at the Monterey Pop Festival in California, where his impressive performance captivated the white rock audience, a rare feat for a soul artist of that era. This appearance demonstrated the universality of his music and its impact beyond traditional Southern Black audiences.
Otis Redding found his musical identity through the Stax Records label in Memphis, a progressive record company founded in 1957 that celebrated Black talent and created authentically Southern soul music. This close collaboration with Stax musicians forged his characteristic and timeless sound.
At just 26 years old, Otis Redding left behind a catalog of about 50 songs recorded in less than a decade of professional work, an extraordinary artistic productivity. His rapid evolution from an initial R&B style to a more sophisticated, orchestrated soul shows an artist in the midst of creative growth.
Primary Sources
I want my music to touch people, to make them feel something deep. Soul music comes from the heart, it tells our stories, our struggles, and our joys.
Otis Redding stopped the show on Saturday night. His vocal presence, stage charisma, and raw energy captivated a predominantly white rock audience, proving that great music transcends boundaries.
Otis Redding, one of the greatest voices of our time, perished in a plane crash. His final song 'Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay' will be his last artistic statement and his greatest legacy.
Otis Redding is not just a singer; he is a complete performer who understands the essence of blues, gospel, and R&B. Every song he touches becomes a work of art.
Key Places
Headquarters of Stax Records where Otis Redding recorded most of his hits. This address at 926 East McLemore Avenue became the creative heart of 1960s American soul music.
Hometown of Otis Redding where he grew up and began his music career in the 1950s. Macon was an important center for Southern soul and R&B music.
In June 1967, Otis Redding performed there and impressed a white rock audience, a historic moment that demonstrated the universality of his music.
Tragic site where the plane carrying Otis Redding and his band crashed on December 10, 1967, prematurely ending his life and prodigious career.
Iconic venue where Otis Redding performed several times. The Apollo Theater in Harlem was a crucial launching pad for Black soul and R&B artists.
