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Remembering Otis

We're all aware of the contributions of James Brown and Aretha Franklin to soul music. Sometimes, however, we lose track of the achievements of those who are no longer with us. Lest we forget the soulful stylings of Mr. Otis Redding, we should all make time for a visit to his page at the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame website. If you're a young soul fan unfamiliar with this electrifying performer, best known to mainstream audiences for his hit "Dock of the Bay," then you owe it to yourself to learn about Redding's life and work. Read the text to get a thorough overview of Redding's career (did you know, for instance, that he wrote "Respect" and recorded it before Aretha did?), then click one of the audio icons to hear a short sample of Redding's vocal style, described here as an amalgam of James Brown, Little Richard, and Sam Cooke. Essential reading for every soul fan.

Thu, 16 Mar 2000 07:43:48 -0800