December 10, 2007 marks the 40th anniversary of the day Otis redding passed away. His birthday was last month on September 9th. He would have been 66. Instead, the legendary singer’s life was cut short by a tragic plane crash on Dec 10th 1967- he was only 26 years old. 40 years later, his music lives on, his legacy will never be forgotten and his life will continue to be celebrated for generations to come.
Otis Redding was a singer of commanding stature that to this day embodies the essence of soul music. Though his career was relatively brief, cut short by a tragic plane crash, Otis Redding left behind a legacy of recordings made during the four-year period from his first sessions for Stax/Volt Records in 1963 until his death in 1967. As a songwriter, Redding is responsible for such hits as “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long,” “Respect,” “Pain in my Heart,” “Satisfaction,” and “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” .
In addition to being an accomplished songwriter, Otis Redding was also a talented recording artist, performer, businessman, and music publisher. As president of his own publishing firm, Redwal Music Co., Inc., he was very active in the company’s operation and was directly responsible for the company’s leadership in the music publishing field. To date, the company has copyrighted over 200 commercially successful songs and published many songs which have sold in excess of one million copies each.
Otis Redding exemplified to many listeners the power of Southern “deep soul” — hoarse, gritty vocals, brassy arrangements, and an emotional way with both party tunes and aching ballads. One of his biggest hits was a duet with fellow Stax star Carla Thomas- “Tramp,” in 1967. That was the same year he began to show signs of making major inroads into the white audience, particularly with a well-received performance at the Monterey Pop Festival (also issued on record). The idea that music could be a universal force, bringing together different races and cultures, was central to Otis’ personal philosophy and reflected in his everyday life. At a time when it may not have been considered politically correct, Redding had a white manager, Phil Walden, and a racially mixed band. While it was not Redding’s prime motivation, he was seen as a role model who made unprecedented moves for a black music artist in the 1960s. “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay,” which was recorded only a few days before his tragic death, represented a significant leap as far as examination of more intensely personal emotions. Also highlighted by crisp Cropper guitar leads and dignified horns, it rose to the top of the pop charts in early 1968.
What Redding might have achieved, or what directions he might have explored, are among the countless tantalizing “what if” questions in rock & roll history. For what he accomplished in his life and for what we remember today, the world will continue to celebrate the wonderful life and beautiful music of this truly brilliant artist.
Cigarettes and Coffee [4:01m]: This entry was posted on Tuesday, October 2nd, 2007 at 6:13 pm and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
oh shit…. that’s the first time I ever successfully got an mp3 up there…. jyyeeeeaaahhh!!!!
(K, you proud of me? LOL)
“Sitting at the dock of the bay.. Watching the tidddddddeee roll away.. Oooooo sitting at the doc of the bay… Wasting timeeeee..”
Whistle’s…
(Thanks for the memories V.)
P.
In addition to being an accomplished songwriter, Otis Redding was also a talented recording artist, performer, businessman, and music publisher. As president of his own publishing firm, Redwal Music Co., Inc., he was very active in the company’s operation and was directly responsible for the company’s leadership in the music publishing field. To date, the company has copyrighted over 200 commercially successful songs and published many songs which have sold in excess of one million copies each.”
*Clearly he was a breed apart! A black man before his time..(In music Business)
I love this. Didn’t know that he was such a business genius as well…
P.
yeah, he was definitely a breed apart!
“(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” is definitely one of those songs you can’t help but love…. I was going to throw that one up, but decided to post a song of his that not many people have heard before….
it’s actually quite incredible, at that time and at such a young age, what he was able to accomplish within the industry in terms of bringing people together through music.
Hey!!! I like that one! “Cigerattes and Coffee?” Cool.. *I’m more of a (Green) Tea drinker myself! lol. But I was thinking as I was vibing to this.. How distinct his sound was! Back then EVERYBODY was an original! They (artist like Otis) made the template for which all other musicians followed… And what I like best his his music said something.. It had a message that spoke to you… About you.. That made you think.. That you could just play for your mate and they would just “Get It!” lol.
Ahhh those were the days.. I was even listening to the music.. The instruments.. That organ or synth? Tight! This was like a fine 1959 Merlot… Cheers!
*This is getting to be OUR own lil spot V? Hahaha jk.
P.
Oh when I was talking about the “synth” I was talking about “Try a lil’ Tenderness” had to break out my O.R classics after this… But on this song you posted (congrats btw, lol) The piano, guitar and horns say it all.. Real music.. Live.. sweet.
P.
I was looking at that title again of the album.. “Dreams To Remember…”
And it struck me.. That title (for a song) is deep!! I mean when you think about it.. Why would you need to REMEMBER your dreams? Bc they can be easily forgotten!
Just like waking up in the morning from a long sleep you dreamt but what did you dream about? Most times you can’t remember? Is that like life? Sometimes we get so caught up in the day to day that we don’t remember that we had dreams to fullfill.. To remember? Another testiment to this man’s genius. A true music legend.
P.
Thanks Vintage for this. I was just watching this history of soul music on VH1 classic last night. They did a special on otis redding. it was amazing, simply amazing. he was a great singer/songwriter and wonderful inspiration for all soul artist that followed.
sorry…. haven’t been here for a minute….
a fine 1959 merlot indeed…. it goes down smooooooth
his music was definitely an inspiration, a life cut short too soon.. but everyone has their time…..