This Day in Georgia History
September 09, 1941
Otis Redding Born
Soul singer Otis Redding was born in Dawson, Georgia. At an early age, his family moved to Macon, where he soon was influenced by such singers as Little Richard and Sam Cooke. In 1963, he recorded his first release, “These Arms of Mine.” Based on its success, Stax Records signed him to a recording contract. Redding went on to record many successful rhythm-and-blues hits, including “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long” and “Try a Little Tenderness.” On Dec. 10, 1967, at age 26, Redding died in a tragic plane crash while flying to a concert in Madison, Wisconsin. Three days before his death, he had recorded “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay.” Released a month later, it quickly went to the top of both R&B and Pop charts, eventually selling over 4 million records. For it, Redding was posthumously awarded Grammy Awards in 1968 for best male R&B performance and best R&B song.
