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Otis Ray Redding, Jr. Destinee Grimmett. Biography. American Soul/Rhythm & Blues artist Born in Dawson, Georgia, September 9, 1941 Began his career working with The Upsetters and by performing at talent shows for prize money Recorded his first single “These arms of Mine” in 1962.
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Otis Ray Redding, Jr. Destinee Grimmett
Biography American Soul/Rhythm & Blues artist Born in Dawson, Georgia, September 9, 1941 Began his career working with The Upsetters and by performing at talent shows for prize money Recorded his first single “These arms of Mine” in 1962. Record Label Stax released his first album titled Pain in my Heart in 1964.
Influences • Biggest influence was Little Richard • Specifically his rock n roll stuff • Redding also spoke of Sam Cooke as an inspiration • Gladdy Williams influenced him and he played piano in her band at Hillview Springs Social Club Little Richard
Musician • Played piano and guitar but his passion was singing • Extremely talented songwriter • Started playing small gigs in the south • Originally popular with African American crowds • Later went on to play in the Western U.S. as well as in Europe
Songwriter • In the beginning of his career he mostly covered songs of popular artists • Began writing his own songs in the mid 1960’s • Known for his ability to convey strong emotion • Favored short and simple lyrics • The Songwriter’s Hall of Fame described Redding’s lyrics as “glorified exaltation”
Style • Early on Redding copied his role model Richard, before gradually developing his own style • His song “Hard to Handle” shows heavy influence of Rock n Roll from Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton • Most of his songs were classified as Southern Soul and Memphis Soul • Stylish, funky, uptown music • Combination of blues, early rock n roll, and gospel music
“Pain in my heart” • Listen for: • lyrics regarding a troubled relationship • Strong beats • Heavy emphasis on electric guitar • 12- bar blues • Breaks http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=158fwCG27zE
“(Sittin’ on) the dock of the bay” • Recorded this song three days before he died • Staxstudio musicians finished producing the song after his death • Released in January 1968 • By 1999, it became the sixth most-aired songs in U.S. history, aired more than six million times. • Listen for Soul Music Characteristics such as: • Repetition of lyrical phrases • Soft and smooth vocals • Use of saxophone and trumpet http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nA18g_PwG0
Awards • Georgia Music Hall of Fame (1988) • Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1989) • Songwriters Hall of Fame (1994) • Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (1999) • 8th on “100 Greatest Singers of All Time” • In 2002 Macon created a statue in Gateway Park Otis Redding “Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay” statue in Macon
Otis ray Redding, JR. • Otis Redding died December 10, 1967 in a plane accident • Had acquired his own plane to make touring easier • Band hit a storm and crashed over Lake Monona killing Redding at the young age of 26. • His sudden death devastated Stax Records and ended his short but successful career