The Legendary - Otis Redding!
September 30, 2008 by admin
Filed under Featured Artists
Do you remember that song from Dirty Dancing film where “These Arms of Mine” is being played during a sexy scene? Or the much inspired song “When a Man Loves a Woman”?
It’s just another one of the many hits of Otis Redding. Otis Redding was one of the greatest soul singers of his time. He used to sing for a choir in a church as a young teen, giving him the celebrity image during his teenage life. His voice as categorized in soul with the hint of rhythm and blues and coincides with gospel, made him popular during the time when black music is profoundly elaborate. His career as a singer arose from the time he started singing with the Pinetoppers. His first single “She’s All Right”, and ‘Shout Bamalama” with the group has made its entry to the success of Otis.
During the early 60’s, Otis Redding started his music career with his trademark song “These Arms of Mine” after Johnny Jenkins’ session which he originally written. He first made a hit under the wings of Stax/Volt label, which is then based in Memphis, Tennessee. Under the successful label, almost all of his song is purely original and all written by himself. He also wrote several hit songs sung by different artists, and made great reviews. Some of his popular songs included: Respect (sung by Aretha Franklin); “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long” (which was co-wrote by Jerry Butler); “Sitting’ on the Dock of the Bay” recorded before Otis Redding’s death, and “Try a Little Tenderness”. These are some of the songs on which Redding was acclaimed and honored in the music industry.
In December 10, 1967, Redding and his manager, together with the four members of his band were killed in a plane crashed, somewhere in Madison, Wisconsin. His remains was buried in his private ranch in Georgia, with Redding’s portrait contributed by his fellow musician and a friend back in his home town. Shortly after that Atlantic Records seized all the recordings of Stax Records (Including all Otis’s classics) on a legal technicality. However, his music had enamored his listeners and followers despite the years that had passed. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, had inducted Otis Redding to be one of the single soul singer who had three recordings under the listed top choices.
After his death, US Post Office commemoratively exposed Otis Redding’s 29 cents commemorative postage stamp. Surprisingly just before Otis Redding’s death, he was able to record several good songs which was released under Atlantic label. Warner Bros. purchased the rights of Atlantic Records which was then later known to be distributor of Stax/Volt Records. Atlantic had retained its rights to all of Otis Redding’s mastered recording despite all the issues in between.
Today, Otis Redding’s songs continue to be aired and played over jazz, and rhythm and blues radio stations. His songs gained a lot of significant attribution and referred by most of the contemporary artist as a sought after inspiration. His works such as ‘Hard to Handle” which was covered by different artists like Black Crowes, and Tony Joe White still keep up with the changes of music genre today. His lyrics were constantly chosen over the course of years in different artist’s own songs; one of the listed songs is that of The Doors’ song “Running’ Blue”, who’s been a huge fan of Otis Redding’s.
In addition, some films and television series, make use of Redding’s renowned songs. Movies like 1986 “Pretty in Pink” where Jon Cryer was showing his admiration towards Otis, and in “Top Gun” where main characters was listening to Otis’ song “(Sitting on) The Dock of the Bay”. Truly, Otis Redding’s is one of the world’s greatest legendary Soul singers. There are very few singers before, during or after Otis that sung with so much passion and soul and I very much doubt whether we’ll ever behold such a talent again!
TJ – RareSoulGrooves.com & Soul Music TV
Whoever wrote “When a Man Loves a Woman” is a musical genius. I have to admit I’m not so familiar with the name but I do know his work. I didn’t realize it until now but I’m a huge fan of his compositions and his songs.
Did you know that Otis Redding is widely considered as the single most influential male soul artist of the 1960s? He wrote Respect which was sung by Aretha Franklin. And if that still doesn’t impress you, he wrote Satisfaction for the Rolling Stones. Unfortunately, he died in a plane accident in 1967. God bless his soul.
Otis Redding is a fine example of how one life can mean so much that decades after he’s passed, he continues to touch people through his music.
He’s a true artist and not merely a vocalist. Sometimes I wish there were more people in the industry like him today. I bemoan the waste of time and money that’s being given to these highly-marketed packaged pop singers.
I hear you, Vanessa. They don’t churn out artists like they used to in the old days. These spoiled kids and bubblegum singers would never have made it in the 60s or 70s when only the talent mattered. Otis Redding, you’re the best!
Otis Redding’s legacy continues to uplift the music industry. His influence lives on. Some of my favorites include Sittin’ On the Dock of the Bay, Mr. Pitiful and Try a Little Tenderness. He died at 26, isn’t that sad? My mom has some memorabilia including a poster and postage stamps.
Otis Redding had actually passed away long a few years I was born. I remember my older sister saying that she had seen him perform live with with Johnny Jenkins sometime in the early 1960s. My favorite is Satisfaction, which was sung by the Rolling Stones and still is heard all over.
Just saw Otis perform Tenderness on your website - what a guy! Who else could belt out the lyrics the way he did - and get away with a track about loving women screamed full-pelt. That man had balls. Long may we listen to him.
First artist to have a number one hit posthumously on Billboard’s “Hot 100″ chart with his recording of “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” (Volt 157). The song was recorded only three days before his death.
The whistling at the end of “Dock of the Bay” was improvised on the spot by Redding because he forgot the words he had composed for the fade-out of the song
Voted the eighth greatest singer of the rock era in a Rolling Stone magazine poll in 2008.
The Dock of the Bay. One of my favorite songs ever. It is unfortunate that he died just 3 days after this song was recorded.
I’ve read where he would just light-up everyone around him with his cheerful ways, like leaving the recording mix to sing in front of the horn players while they were recording the musical breaks. Rest in peace Big “O”
Some of the songs Otis wrote he never sang or recorded; he instead wrote them for other singers of the era who made them famous. Otis was just reaching his pinnacle when he died in a mysterious plane crash when on approach to Chicago’s Midway Airport.
Pure, simple, beautiful music. I wish this guy would’ve lived to fill our lives with many more happy hits, but now I guess he’s sitting on a cloud somewhere, waist in’ time…
This is what the old school soul was all about! These youngest folks nowadays don’t measure up to this kind of music.
One of the best voices and best singers. And he could whistle. It was just too good to last.
Otis Redding – The Legendary Soul Singer!…
Do you remember that song from Dirty Dancing film where “These Arms of Mine” is being played during a sexy scene? Or the much inspired song “When a Man Loves a Woman”? It’s just another one of the many hits of Otis Redding. Otis Redding was o…
Otis Redding – The Legendary Soul Singer!…
Do you remember that song from Dirty Dancing film where “These Arms of Mine” is being played during a sexy scene? Or the much inspired song “When a Man Loves a Woman”? It’s just another one of the many hits of Otis Redding. Otis Redding was o…
When I first heard These Arms of Mine in the Patrick Swazye movie Road House I was floored. The song is beautiful, I could play it constantly and never get tired of it. Another fabulous song I keep play is I’ve been loving you too long. That song is beautiful, Ottis had some great songs, He was a very talented singer, and such a change he didn’t get to live longer to see that his songs are grealty loved today, 2009. Ottis you were a wonderful rhythm and blues singer, and your songs will live on for years to come