otis ray redding, jr
DESCRIPTION
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. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
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.
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
INFLUENCES
Little Richard
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
MUSICIAN
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”
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
STYLE
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
Stax studio 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
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
AWARDS
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