Wiki Biography of Otis Redding
Otis Redding was a singer, producer, composer, and talent scout who was best known for his soul and rhythm and blues music and is regarded as one of the finest singers in American pop culture. He was born on September 9, 1941, in Dawson, Georgia, USA. Redding’s net worth grew dramatically as a result of his vocal abilities. From 1958 through 1967, he was active. Otis died in a plane crash in December 1967.
Have you ever wondered how wealthy Otis Redding was when he died? Otis Redding’s net worth was estimated to be $10 million, according to credible sources. Redding was a famous producer and songwriter in addition to singing, which added to his income.
Otis Redding has a net worth of $10 million dollars.
Otis Ray Redding, Jr. was the fourth of six children born to Fannie Mae Redding and Otis Ray Redding, Sr., a former sharecropper and local preacher. Otis sung in the Vineville Baptist Church choir and played piano and guitar when he was three years old, and his family relocated to Tindall Heights in Macon. Redding attended Ballard-Hudson High School, where he was a member of the band and earned $6 every Sunday by singing gospel songs on Macon’s local radio station. He cited Little Richard and Sam Cooke as influences, and he indicated that he preferred to sing rather than play instruments.
When Otis’ father contracted TB when he was 15, Redding dropped out of school to support his family financially. Redding was obliged to do whatever he could to support his family, from well digging to working as a gas station attendant and musician. Otis began his career as a contestant in a talent show presented by disc jockey Hamp Swain in 1958. Redding then joined “The Upsetters,” earning $25 per night, after singing Little Richard’s “Heebie Jeebies.” Redding and his sister Deborah relocated to Los Angeles in 1960, where he wrote his first songs, “Tuff Enuff,” “Gamma Lamma,” “She’s Alright,” and “I’m Gettin’ Hip.” His net worth began to increase.
Otis met Joe Galkin, an Atlantic record representative, in 1962, and he was sent to the Stax studio in Memphis for a tryout. Jim Stewart, the studio boss, wasn’t impressed with Otis’ initial song, but he gave him another chance, and Redding delivered “These Arms of Mine,” which Stewart loved so immensely that he signed a deal with him right away. In 1962, the song became one of the most popular, selling over 800,000 copies.
“Pain in My Heart,” Redding’s debut album, was released in 1964 and peaked at No. 85 on the Billboard Hot 100. In 1965, Otis released two more albums, “The Great Otis Redding Sings Soul Ballads” and “Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul,” all of which were hugely successful, allowing him to buy a 300-acre ranch in Georgia. Otis returned to Stax to record a few more songs, including “Try a Little Tenderness,” and issued two more albums, “The Soul Album” and “Complete & Unbelievable: The Otis Redding Dictionary of Soul.” He worked with Isaac Hayes and James Brown, with whom he became good friends. His money worth and career were both on the rise.
Redding appeared at the legendary Monterey Pop Festival in 1967, singing covers of The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, and Jimi Hendrix in addition to his own compositions. His performance wowed several renowned artists, including Jimi Hendrix and Brian Jones, who hailed him as the next big thing.
In 1967, Otis released his final album, “King & Queen,” which he co-wrote with Carla Brown.
Redding and his band made an appearance on Cleveland’s “Upbeat” television show in December of that year; these were hectic days, and the next engagement was at the Factory nightclub near the University of Wisconsin in Madison. The weather was bad, and he had the option of canceling the flight and the concert, but he chose to go ahead and do it anyway, and the plane crashed in Lake Monona, only four miles from its destination. The sole survivor was Ben Cauley, a member of Otis Redding’s band, who couldn’t rescue the others since he couldn’t swim. The cause of the plane crash was never discovered, however James Brown later disclosed in his autobiography that he cautioned Otis not to fly on that particular day. The next day, Otis’ body was discovered, and his funeral was held at Macon’s City Auditorium. The ceremony drew more than 4,500 people despite the hall’s capacity of barely 3,000.
Otis Redding was married to Zelma Atwood since 1961, and she gave birth to his son Dexter in 1960, while they were still dating. In 1989, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as well as receiving a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
Full Name | Otis Redding |
Net Worth | $10 Million |
Date Of Birth | September 9, 1941 |
Died | 1967-12-10 |
Place Of Birth | Dawson, Georgia, U.S. |
Height | 6′ 1″ (1.85 m) |
Profession | Soundtrack, Composer |
Education | Ballard-Hudson High School |
Nationality | American |
Spouse | Zelma Atwood (m. 1961–1967) |
Children | Demetria Redding, Dexter Redding, Karla Redding, Otis Redding III |
Parents | Fannie Redding, Otis Redding, Sr |
Siblings | Rodgers Redding, Louise McClain, Deborah Redding |
IMDB | http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0714727/ |
Awards | Grammy Hall of Fame, Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, Grammy Award for Best R&B Song, Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance, Rhythm and Blues Foundation Pioneer Award, The Dock of the Bay, I’ve Been Loving You Too Long, These Arms of Mine |
Nominations | BET Award for Best Collaboration, MTV Video Music Award for Best Direction, BET Hip Hop Award for People’s Champ, The Dock of the Bay, I’ve Been Loving You Too Long, These Arms of Mine |
Movies | Otis Redding: Respect: Live: 1967 |