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December 10, 1966
One of the greatest soul singer-songwriters of all time died tragically on this date.
Otis Redding was killed while aboard a small, twin-engine aircraft which plunged into Lake Monona at Madision, Wisconsin. Redding was just 26.
Also claimed were the lives of four of the six members of the Memphis, TN instrumental funk band the Bar-Kays, who were accompanying him on the chartered flight (more below).
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Starting in 1963, Otis Redding had already placed numerous singles on both the Billboard Hot 100 and their Rhythm & Blues chart, but just days before his sudden death, he recorded the song for which he will always be remembered, (Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay.
[NOTE]
Due to copyright issues, some audio song files may not play on smartphones, tablets or connected devices. A laptop, desktop PC or Mac may be required for optimal enjoyment.
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(Sittin’ On) THE DOCK OF THE BAY
Otis Redding
[1968]
Recorded on November 22, 1967 (18 days before his death) the single posthumously entered the Hot 100 during the last week of January, 1968 and hit number one on March 16th, where it remained for 4 weeks and also became Redding’s only million-seller.
And given the nature of his death, the song gained added poignancy.
This is a rarely-heard ‘true stereo’ version of ‘Dock Of The Bay’, which is ranked at #26 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the ‘Top 500 Greatest Songs of All-Time’ (RS500)
[Note] The ‘seagulls’ sound effects were created by session guitarist Steve Cropper (of Booker T. & The MG’s) manually manipulating the strings on his instrument’s finger-board.
Cropper also co-wrote the song with Redding.
https://youtu.be/d9r0ohONryA
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Here are several recordings by artists influenced by songs either written by, first recorded by, or done by Otis Redding.
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RESPECT
Aretha Franklin
[1967]
Written solely by Redding and first recorded by him in 1965, Respect has been covered by countless artists and bands over the years. But, with all due “respect” to Otis and , the others, my props go to this definitive version, performed by ‘The Queen Of Soul’ in 1967.
It was Aretha’s only #1 single and became her second of 15 million-selling hit singles.
https://youtu.be/xy3XHZhuodQ
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PAIN IN MY HEART
The Rolling Stones
[1965]
During their original blues and soul music-based era, The Rolling Stones were influenced by many great artists from both genres, including Otis Redding.
They covered a couple of his recordings, including That’s How Strong My Love Is and this one Redding released in 1963 called Pain In My Heart.
It’s from their third US album, 1965’s The Rolling Stones. Now!
[Note] Redding would return the favor when he recorded his version of the band’s signature hit Satisfaction in 1966, when it reached #31 on the Hot 100.
https://youtu.be/iA2Y_lRAoJU
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TRY A LITTLE TENDERNESS
Three Dog Night
[1969]
The song Try A Little Tenderness goes back a long way – to 1932 – when first recorded by Ray Noble, with many cover versions since by artists like Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra.
But the L.A.- based trio Three Dog Night (Joy To The World, Black & White) were no doubt influenced by Redding’s soulful rendering from 1966 (RS500 #207).
From their first album Three Dog Night, TALT climbed to #29 for them in early 1969.
https://youtu.be/d3v0HEQvCyE
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BONUS TRACK!
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SOUL FINGER
Bar-Kays
[1967]
The Bar-Kays were to Memphis-based STAX Records what The Funk Brothers were to Motown Records or The Wrecking Crew to Los Angeles studio recording sessions.
They, as well as members of Booker T.‘s trio of group musicians known as The M.G.’s, played back-up on scores of recordings by the label owned by Jim Stewart and Estelle Axton (STewart + AXton = STAX).
On this day in 1967, band members Jimmy King (guitar), Ronnie Caldwell (organ), Phalon Jones (sax) and Carl Cunningham (drums) all perished with Otis Redding. Trumpet player Ben Cauley survived the crash and bass player James Alexander wasn’t aboard the doomed flight.
Alexander would then re-form the Bar-Kays with new members, and they’ve placed 32 hits on Billboard’s R&B Chart between 1967 and 1995.
Their Top 20 instrumental hit Soul Finger reached #17 on Billboard during the summer of ’67.
https://youtu.be/T85lLg8oRKo
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Songs Source: The Music Vault of HouseoftheHits, Inc.
Billboard® Chart Data: Joel Whitburn’s Record Research (eBook Editions)
Record Sleeve & Label Graphics: Courtesy of 45cat
