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Otis Redding

Otis Redding became one of the great Soul singers in his short life, with a intense, pure passionate style far ahead of his contemporaries. He is best known for his hit single "(Sittin' on) the Dock of the Bay".

Otis Ray Redding Jr. was born in Dawson, Georgia in 1941, sang in the baptist church choir and in 1960 began touring with a local band, Johnny Jenkins and the Pine Toppers. In that year he made his first recordings with "She's All Right" and "Shout Bamalama".

In 1962 he had a minor success with his ballad "These Arms of Mine". He toured with Sam and Dave, and between 1964 and 1966 wrote and recorded "Mr. Pitiful", "I Can't Turn You Loose", "Try A Little Tenderness" and "Respect", none of which got higher than #21 on the pop charts. "Respect" was later a #1 hit for Aretha Franklin. His funky version of the Rolling Stones song "Satisfaction" was a truly original interpretation.

Otis Redding died in 1967 at age 26 in a plane crash, at the peak of his career. "Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay", recorded only four days before his death and released in 1968, became his first #1 single, selling over a million copies.

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