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FEMUSINDO.com - Otis Ray Redding Jr., with his famous name Otis Redding, was born in Dawson, Georgia, United States, on September 9, 1941.
He is a singer and songwriter who is considered one of the greatest singer-songwriters in the history of American popular music and an important artist in soul and rhythm and blues music.
Nicknamed the "King of Soul", Redding's singing style was inspired by gospel music that preceded the genre. His singing style influenced many other soul artists in the 1960s.
Joining a Band
Redding was born in Dawson, Georgia, and moved with his family to Macon. Redding dropped out of school at the age of 15 to support his family.
He worked with Little Richard's backing band, the Upsetters, and performed in talent shows at the historic Douglass Theatre in Macon.
In 1958, he joined Johnny Jenkins' band, the Pinetoppers, with whom he toured the Southern states as a singer and driver.
Contract and Hit Singles
An unscheduled appearance at a Stax recording session led to a contract and his first hit single, "These Arms of Mine", in 1962.
Stax released Redding's debut album, Pain in My Heart, two years later. Initially popular primarily with African-Americans, Redding eventually reached a wider audience of American pop music.
With the group, he first performed in small shows in the American South. Redding later performed at the popular Los Angeles nightclub Whisky a Go Go.
He also toured Europe, performing in London, Paris, and other major cities. In 1967, he performed at the Monterey Pop Festival.
Plane Crash
Shortly before his death on December 10, 1967 in a plane crash, Redding wrote and recorded his iconic song "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" with Steve Cropper.
The song became the first posthumous number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B charts. The Dock of the Bay album was the first posthumous number one album on the UK Albums Chart.
Redding's untimely death in Madison, Wisconsin, USA, at the age of 26 devastated Stax. Already on the verge of bankruptcy, the label soon discovered that Atlantic Records' Atco division owned the rights to his entire catalogue.
Received Many Posthumous Awards
Redding received many posthumous awards, including two Grammy Awards, the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
He was also inducted into the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
In addition to "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay", some of his most famous songs include "Respect" and "Try a Little Tenderness". (*)
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