Beloved soul singer Otis Redding was born near Macon, Georgia on this date in 1941. He was only 26-years-old when he died in a plane crash in Madison, Wisconsin in December 1967. Redding’s voice defines soul music, transcends cultures and generations and is truly among the most revered and respected of all-time. Redding’s talents remain the pinnacle of vocal excellence more than a half-century since his tragic death.
Redding performed in Cleveland on December 9, 1967 — the day before the tragic plane crash — holding a concert a Leo’s Casino. Earlier in the day, Redding appeared on the local Cleveland station WEWS-TV’s program Upbeat. In what would be his final televised performance, Redding sang his original “Respect,” which would become a massive hit for Aretha Franklin. Redding also teamed with Mitch Ryder for a rendition of “Knock On Wood.”
Watch some of the last moments of Otis Redding’s life in the pair of clips below:
[Respect]
[Knock On Wood]
