Although his recording career was cut short by a plane crash, Otis Redding was one of the most influential soul singers of the 60s and a singer of commanding stature that to this day embodies the essence of soul. His name is synonymous with the word soul, music that rose out of the black experience in America that combined gospel and R&B into a from of funky testifying.

Otis exemplified to many the power of Southern soul with hoarse vocals, brassy arrangements, and an emotional way with both party songs and aching ballads. Redding was also the most consistent singer of the Stax sound, making his records at the Memphis studios did a lot to update R&B into modern soul.

His passing at the age of 26 was tragic not only because he was on the verge of leaving a mark on a wider audience, but also because as "Dock of the Bay" demonstrated, Otis was at a turning point in his artistic breakthrough in terms of the expression of his songwriting and singing.

After his death, Redding's influence spend far and wide as singers like Al Green, Sly & The Family Stone, Robert Palmer, Lionel Richie, and Luther Vandross all drew from his powerful voice.

Posted by Andrew on Sunday, 05/5/2013 @ 18:26pm

I recently watched Otis Redding's induction by Little Richard on youtube, and it was horribly sad...for all the wrong reasons. I get that Little Richard was Otis' musical hero and inspiration, what an honor to have your hero induct you. But man, LRich dropped the ball.

Little Richard did little to pay respects to this amazing talent cut short. Richard spent most of his speech loosely singing Reddings songs and then jokingly telling the audience to "Shut-up". My take on the whole scene was that Richard was drunk. He did not have prepared words, he just rambled.

They say "never meet your heroes", maybe "never have your heroes speak on your behalf" would be an apt thought too. It's unfortunate that the Hall didnt get one of Otis' peers (Steve Cropper, Booker T. Jones or Isaac Hayes) or one of his influences (Mick Jagger and/or Keith Richards, Joe Cocker) speak for him. Hell, I would have even taken Dan Elwood Aykroyd. At least they would have spoke with some reverence. Truly a shame that Little Richard made this moment all about himself.

Posted by PLUTO on Sunday, 10/26/2014 @ 19:02pm