Otis Redding (Otis Ray Redding Jr., Dawson, Georgia, September 9, 1941 – Madison, Wisconsin, December 10, 1967) was a highly influential soul singer from Georgia, USA.
Redding was born in the small town of Dawson, Georgia. When he was 5, his family moved to Macon, Georgia. Redding sang in the choir at church, and as a teenager won the talent show at the Douglass Theatre for 15 weeks in a row. His early influences were Little Richard and Sam Cooke. Richard Pennyman (Little Richard) was also a Macon resident. Redding said, “If it hadn’t been for Little Richard, I would not be here. I entered the music business because of Richard; he is my inspiration. I used
to sing like Little Richard, ...
Otis Redding
