Otis Redding

Otis Redding (September 9, 1941 – December 10, 1967) was an influential American deep soul singer, known for his passionate delivery and his posthumous hit single, "(Sittin' On) the Dock of the Bay", also one of his most respected tracks.

The native of Macon, Georgia was working in the music business with Johnny Jenkins in the early 1960s, recording "These Arms of Mine". The song became a hit, which was followed a few years later by "Mr. Pitiful", "I Can't Turn You Loose", "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" (The Rolling Stones song) and "Respect" (later smash hit by Aretha Franklin).

Redding wrote many of his own songs, which was unusual for the time, often with Steve Cropper (of Booker T & the MG's). One of his few songs with a significant mainstream following was "Tramp" (1967) with Carla Thomas. Later that year, Redding played at the massively influential Monterey Pop Festival.

"(Sittin' on) the Dock of the Bay" became famous a year after his death when his plane crashed into Lake Mendota which makes up one side of Madison, Wisconsin's isthmus, along with The Bar-Kays, his backup band.

His sons Dexter and Otis II founded together with cousin Mark Locket the funk/disco-band "The Reddings" in the late 1970s.

Sample

• Download sample of "Mr. Pitiful"