Otis Redding on stage, in a light colored, double breasted suit, mike in right hand, profile, spotlight above (Photo by Sulfiati Magnuson/Getty Images)
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By the mid-1960s, Otis Redding was becoming one of the brightest R&B and soul stars around. His incredible voice and gift for songwriting helped define the sound of Stax Records, the legendary Memphis label that shaped American music. But his ascent was cut tragically short when a plane carrying him and members of his band crashed in December 1967. He was only 26.
What makes the story more poignant is what came next. The last song Otis Redding wrote before his death, “Sitting on the Dock of the Bay,” became his most enduring legacy. Released posthumously, it climbed to number one on the Billboard charts and remains one of the most iconic soul records ever made. As we mark what would have been his 85th birthday on September 9, his influence on music and culture remains undeniable.
Georgia Born
Redding was born September 9, 1941, in Dawson, Georgia, and moved to Macon as a young boy. Raised on Sam Cooke and Little Richard, he grew up singing in church and school bands, absorbing the raw power and emotion of soul music from the beginning.
The Pinetoppers
As a teenager, Redding met guitarist Johnny Jenkins and joined his band, the Pinetoppers. Besides performing, Redding—one of the few members with a driver’s license—often drove Jenkins and the band to gigs. It was a practical role that would eventually open doors.
“These Arms of Mine”
In August 1962, Redding drove Jenkins to Memphis for a recording session at Stax Records. He managed to use some studio time to record songs of his own, resulting in “These Arms of Mine.” The single climbed to number 20 on the R&B charts in 1963, giving Redding his first real taste of success and catching the attention of Stax executives.
The Stax Sound
Redding’s debut impressed Stax executives enough to sign him to their subsidiary label, Volt Records. His voice had a quality they couldn’t ignore—raw, powerful, deeply soulful. He followed with hits like “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long” and “Try a Little Tenderness,” establishing himself as a major force in soul music.
He became central to the Stax sound, that earthy, southern blend of soul and R&B that also defined artists like Sam & Dave and The Staples Singers. Redding’s music had an urgency and authenticity that resonated with audiences both Black and white, at a time when the country was grappling with serious racial division.
“Respect” 1.0
Before Aretha Franklin made it the feminist anthem that defined her career, “Respect” was an Otis Redding song released in 1965. His version had a different angle:
“Hey little girl, you’re so sweet, little honey; And I’m about to give you all of my money; And all I’m asking, hey; A little respect when I come home
★TR★
