On December 10, 1967, soul music legend Otis Redding died in a plane crash near Madison, Wisconsin. He was only 26.
Redding and his backing band, the Bar-Kays, were traveling to perform at the Factory Nightclub in Madison when the plane – flying in heavy rain and fog – crashed into Lake Monona just four miles from their destination.
He had already recorded 10 albums worth of original studio tracks plus a number of dynamic live performances.
In the six months leading up to his death, Redding had gone from one great success to another. In June, Aretha Franklin had taken a cover version of his song Respect all the way to #1 on the pop charts.
Later that same month, the adulation of the young audience of rock fans at the Monterey International Pop Festival had transformed him into an icon of the blossoming counterculture thanks to his blistering, now-legendary live performance there.
One song from that performance is in video form below his photograph at the bottom.
Redding received many posthumous accolades, including two Grammy Awards, the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Today We Remember
Play button is on the left … Volume slider is on the right
Otis Redding Medley
I saved the best for last. His studio recording of Try A Little Tenderness is awesome but to really enjoy it, you need to see his performance at Monterey in June 67, where backed by Booker T & The MGs, he ended his appearance with this mesmerizing version.
Another great segment Ray – loved Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay ….. didn’t know Respect was originally his song … or how he died or that he died so young …it makes me wonder what his life would have been like if he hadn’t died so young.
You never fail to amaze me Ray …. you put these together with what appears to be so much ease — although I am sure there is a significant amount of work that goes into each one of them. They are entertaining and educational! Thank you for all you do. Rock this Day Ray! You so deserve it …
Thank you, Barbara. 🙂
Had Otis lived, I believe he would have been one of the biggest artists in music history. A great songwriter and producer, in addition to his unbelievable performances on the stage, he was just getting started.
Fun Factoid: He recorded Dock of The Bay just three days before his death and the released recording was only supposed to be a demo. His whistling at the end was going to be replaced by additional lyrics when Otis returned to the studio. Sadly, he never did.
Thank you for the kind words. It does take some effort to pull these together but I have done it for so long, it gets easier each day. 🙂
ROCK THIS DAY!
Good Morning, Ray. I think you have made a fine choice today. Certainly an artist who deserves to be remembered. I was not really following Otis very closely at the time of his death. I was not aware of the depth & breath of his talent. If I’m not mistaken, Sitting on the Dock had just been released at the time of the crash. It became a metaphor of him sitting on a heavenly dock in the hereafter. It was played endlessly as a tribute to him. It was sad to lose him at only 26 years of age. We have lost so many greats so young in accidents. Now we lose artists to drug issues. How times change.
Ray I for one appreciate the effort you put forth to entertain us each day, except of course Saturday. ( what are you doing with all that free time on Saturday?)
How did I forget? Nice touch with the video footage! Very creative.
Do you think Lou Adler will ever release the outtakes of Monterey Pop? I know acts were left out because of clearance problems and other nonsense. I sure hope so. I know his grandchildren are active in the business, maybe they will realize they have a cash cow sitting in the vaults. I can dream can’t I?
I don’t believe the outtakes will ever be released even though you’re right, they do have a cash cow on their hands. The list of performers who appeared would stun music fans if they knew who didn’t make “the cut” … The Association, Johnny Rivers, Lou Rawls, Butterfield Blues Band, Steve Miller Band, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Laura Nyro, and Moby Grape.
Thank you, Don.
Dock of The Bay was released on January 8, 1968 and became the first posthumous single to top the Billboard Hot 100. But before his tragic death, he had been a rising soul star and became a household name in the pop world after his legendary appearance at Monterey. The man could wring every drop of pain out of a song.
As for Saturday, I spend the morning mapping out the medleys for the coming week, record and mix Sunday’s medley, and then watch college football from Noon until Midnight. 🙂
ROCK ON, BRO!
Whew…man, this is AMAZING…It’s been a long, albeit good, week and I was feeling a bit tense for no particular reason…and then I tuned in. Now I’m rocking in my reclining computer chair, super relaxed. That’s the power of music for you! The transitions and choice of order are outstanding! To say you have a deep love of music and music history would be a wild understatement. You live and breathe it! And you share it with us! Just because you hope to spread the joy it gives to you…I couldn’t be more grateful! XOXOXOXO
Wow, Wendyl what a lovely comment! ❤️
If Otis couldn’t get anyone mellow, nobody could.
I sincerely appreciate all the nice compliments. I’m not sure I’m worthy but I do thank you!
XOXOXOXO
So sad that he died so young, and what a voice. Whenever I hear Otis Redding, I think “Dock of the Bay”, but so many great songs.
Thank you, Pat. He was and still is one of my favorites.