Otis Redding

Otis Redding

Otis Ray Redding, Jr. (September 9, 1941 – December 10, 1967) was an American singer, songwriter, record producer, arranger and talent scout. His musical style was soul and rhythm and blues and he was considered to be one of the greatest singers in the history of American popular music. His singing style influenced many other soul artists of the 1960s.

Redding was born and raised in Georgia and quit school at the age of 15 to support his family: working with Little Richard’s backing band the “Upsetters”. He also performed at talent shows for prize money. In 1958, he joined Johnny Jenkins’s band, the “Pinetoppers”, with whom he toured the Southern states as a singer and driver. It was an unscheduled appearance on a Stax recording session that led to a contract and his first single, “These Arms of Mine” in 1962. In 1964, Stax released Redding’s debut album, “Pain In My Heart”.

Together with his group, Redding first played small gigs in the American South. He later performed in Los Angeles and toured Europe: performing in major cities such as London and Paris.

Shortly before Redding’s death in a plane crash, he wrote and recorded “Sitting On Top Of The Bay” with Steve Cropper. The song became the first posthumous number-one record on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the R&B Charts. The album “Dock Of The Bay” was the first posthumous album to reach number one on the UK Album Chart.

Redding received many posthumous accolades, including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Backing Tracks

Can’t Turn You Loose

 Come To Me

Fa Fa – Sad Song

Happy Song

Hard To Handle

I Can Turn You Loose

I’ve Been Loving You Too Long

I’ve Got Dreams To Remember

Love Man

Mr Pitiful

My Girl

Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag

Shake

Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay

Stand By Me

The Arms Of Mine

Tramp

Try A Little Tenderness