Otis Ray Redding Jr. was an American singer and composer who lived from September 9, 1941, until December 10, 1967.
He is a notable singer in the annals of popular music in America and a pioneer of rhythm and blues and soul. Redding, known as the “King of Soul,” took influence for his vocal technique from the evangelical music that came before the genre. His vocal style impacted a lot of 1960s soul performers.
Otis Redding siblings: Meet Louise McClain, Rodgers Redding, Deborah Redding
Otis’s siblings have been identified as Louise McClain, Rodgers Redding, and Deborah Redding.
We do not have much information about them.
Redding dropped out of school at the age of 15 in order to help his mother, who was the family’s major breadwinner due to his father’s TB and many hospitalizations. He had jobs as a good digger, a gas station attendant, and an infrequent gig as a musician.
Gladys Williams, a Macon-based pianist who was a major influence on Redding, frequently performed at the Hillview Springs Social Club, where Redding occasionally played the piano with her band. Redding and his buddies Little Willie Jones and Eddie Ross attended the Sunday talent showcases that Williams held.
