| Otis Redding Quick Info | |
|---|---|
| Height | 6 ft 1 in |
| Weight | 90 kg |
| Date of Birth | September 9, 1941 |
| Zodiac Sign | Virgo |
| Date of Death | December 10, 1967 |
Otis Redding was an American singer and songwriter who is regarded as one of the greatest singers in the history of American popular music and an influential artist in soul music and rhythm and blues. His discography includes albums and tracks such as These Arms of Mine, Pain in My Heart, Complete & Unbelievable: The Otis Redding Dictionary of Soul, Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul, The Great Otis Redding Sings Soul Ballads, Love Man, The Soul Album, The Dock of the Bay, Tell the Truth, The Immortal Otis Redding, I Can’t Turn You Loose, Hard to Handle, and Amen. Otis Redding has received many posthumous accolades including 2 Grammy Awards, the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame.
Born Name
Otis Ray Redding Jr.
Nick Names
The Big O, The Mad Man from Macon, Rockhouse Redding, The King of Soul
Age
He was born on September 9, 1941.
Died
On December 10, 1967, Otis Redding died in a plane crash at the age of 26 in Madison, Wisconsin, United States.
Sun Sign
Virgo
Born Place
Dawson, Georgia, United States
Nationality
Education
Otis Redding attended Ballard-Hudson High School and sang in the school band. At the age of 15, he left school.
Also, he was 10 years old when he started taking drum and singing lessons.
Occupation
Singer, Songwriter
Family
- Father – Otis Redding Sr. (Sharecropper who later worked at Robins Air Force Base, near Macon)
- Mother – Fannie Roseman
- Siblings – Deborah Redding (Sister), Rodgers Redding (Younger Brother), Louise McClain (Sister). Otis had 2 more siblings.
- Others – Will Redding (Paternal Grandfather), Laura Fambro (Paternal Grandmother), John Roseman (Maternal Grandfather), Elizabeth “Lizzie” Gaunders (Maternal Grandmother)
Manager
Otis Redding was managed by his brother Rodgers Redding and Earl “Speedo” Simms.
Genre
Soul, R&B, Southern Soul
Instruments
Vocals
Labels
Confederate Records, Stax Record, Volt, Atco, Rhino, Sundazed Music
Net Worth
According to CelebrityNetWorth.com, his net worth was $10 Million at the time of his death.
Build
Athletic
Height
6 ft 1 in or 185.5 cm
Weight
90 kg or 198.5 lbs
Girlfriend / Spouse
Otis Redding had dated –
- Zelma Atwood – He was 18 years old when he met 17-year-old Zelma Atwood at “The Teenage Party” (a talent contest). Approximately a year later, their son named Dexter was born in the summer of 1960. The couple got married in August 1961 and remained together until his death in 1967. They had 3 more children – Demetria, Karla, and Otis III.
Race / Ethnicity
Black
Otis Redding was of African-American descent.
Hair Color
Black
Eye Color
Dark Brown
Sexual Orientation
Straight
Distinctive Features
His voice
Otis Redding Facts
- He left school due to his family’s financial struggles and worked as a well-digger, gasoline station attendant, and occasionally as a musician.
- In March 1964, Otis Redding released his debut album Pain in My Heart and it included tracks like I Need Your Lovin’, Pain in My Heart, Stand by Me, and You Send Me.
- Some of his influences included singers Little Richard and Sam Cooke. Otis once said that he “would not be here” without Little Richard and that he “entered the music business because of Richard – he is my inspiration. I used to sing like Little Richard, his rock ‘n’ roll stuff … My present music has a lot of him in it.”
- On February 23, 1968, his first posthumous album and 7th studio album The Dock of the Bay was released and it was ranked #161 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time in 2003.
- Otis Redding enjoyed football and hunting.
- He was friends with singer Wilson Pickett.
- He has been described as vigorous, trustworthy, full of fun, and a successful businessperson.
Featured Image by Stax Records / eBay / Public Domain
