Photo
Share
Otis Redding

Otis Redding

September 9th, 1941 - December 10th, 1967

Biography


Otis Ray Redding Jr. was a prolific and influential American songwriter, singer and record producer. He saw international fame and is considered one of the greatest Soul and R&B(rhythm and blues) singers in popular music. Redding is said to have embodied every essence of Soul.

Redding was born in Dawson, Georgia to a working class family. At the age of 19 he married Zelma Atwood who gave birth to their son Dexter in 1961. They would have 3 children together. At the age of 15 Redding left school in order to support his family. As his father was sick, Redding's mother became the sole financial provider. Redding worked as a gas attendant and a well digger. It is around this time that Redding became interested in music. As a teenager, Redding sang in the town choir and Redding would sometimes play music with friends at a Macon social club.

Otis Redding's big break in the music business came during a talent show in 1958. 'The Teenage Party' talent show, held at the Roxy and Douglass theatres in Macon had a 5$ winning prize, which Redding took home for 15 consecutive weeks! During this time Redding became the frontman for the Upsetters, Little Richard's former band. Eventually Redding and his brother moved to New York and performed at the Apollo Theatre.

In 1967, after playing 3 shows in Cleveland, Redding called Zelma and his children and boarded a plane to Madison, Wisconsin. They were warned against flying but in heavy rain and fog they took off. The cause of the accident is unknown to this day but 4 miles away from their destination, the plane crashed into Lake Monona killing everyone but one band member, Ben Cauley. 4, 500 people attended his funeral and he was buried on December 19th, 1967

Despite his talent and and tenacity, Otis Redding never had a #1 hit in America until after his death. "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay", released in 1968 following his death, was his only hit to reach #1.

Otis Redding was an incredible musician and was well known for his electric stage presence. If you want to see some live footage of Redding and his band, check out the Mementos page!

Read More 

Family

About

Name Otis Redding
Date of Birth September 9th, 1941
Date of Death December 10th, 1967
Home Town Dawson, GA, US 
Favourite Saying “As I was growing up, I did a lot of talent shows. I won fifteen Sunday nights straight in a series of talent shows in Macon. I showed up the sixteenth night, and they wouldn't let me go on any more. Whatever success I had was through the help of the
Cemetery

Memorial

Cemetery Otis Redding Big "O" Ranch
Address Otis Redding Road
GA 31032
US
Milestone

Milestones

1951 At age 10 began drum and singing lessons
1956 Left high school to help support his family; eventually becoming a well digger and gas station attendant.
1958 Entered a 5$ singing contest at the Roxy Theatre in Macon, Georgia, winning the contest for 15 consecutive weeks.
1959 Redding met his wife Zelma Atwood at a singing competition
1960 Zelma gave birth to their son Dexter
1961 Otis and Zelma are wed
1964 Redding’s first hit “Pain in my Heart” debuts at #20 on the Billboard Top 100
1966 With many attempts by white artists to stop Redding from recording this song, his signature track “Try a Little Tenderness” hit #25 on the Billboard Top 100
1967 Redding and his bandmates were flying to Madison, Wisconsin in bad weather. For reasons unknown, the plane went down and crashed into Lake Monona. There was only one survivor
1967 On December 18th Redding’s funeral was held
1968 Redding’s posthumous hit "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" becomes his only single to reach #1 on the Billboard Top 100

Error

photo
Characters: 6000

Sign in to Keeper:

photo
Characters: 6000

Send as Guest:

Tributes



Flag Post

published a comment .

Read More 

Flag Post
J

Josephine Phillips published a tribute .

I was 17 at that time and loved listening to his music,it always makes me feel better and have some alone time to this day.

Read More 

  

photo
Characters: 6000
photo
Characters: 6000

Mementos

Keepers

Send a Tribute