RESPECT! OTIS REDDING AND THE REVOLUTION OF SOUL
On View - Jan 22, 2016 - Jan 22, 2016
“My father’s first GRAMMY was awarded at the 11th GRAMMY Awards® in March 1969, almost 47 years ago. To be able to unveil this exhibit, which represents his professional and personal legacy, in the weeks prior to the 58th GRAMMY Awards, means the world to us.”
-Karla Redding-Andrews, Executive Director of the Otis Redding Foundation
Bringing together a collection of diverse artifacts, Respect! Otis Redding and the Revolution of Soul will feature many items from the private collection of the Otis Redding Estate.
“I hope the exhibit depicting my husband’s legacy will continue to forever influence musicians around the world, including those nominees and winners for the 58th GRAMMY Awards.”
-Zelma Redding, Executor of the Otis Redding Estate
“One of America’s greatest soul singers, Otis Redding helped bridge the gap between rock and soul music in the mid-’60s. His fans spanned both black and white listeners, and he believed that music was the universal language that could tie us all together. His life came to a tragically early end, and we are honored to share the impact of his career with this new exhibit.”
-Bob Santelli, GRAMMY Museum Executive Director
About Otis Redding
Born in Dawson, Ga., and raised in Macon, Otis Redding, Jr. was one of the most influential vocalists of the 1960s. He began his career at an early age performing with the Vineville Baptist Choir, before he joined Johnny Jenkins and the Pinetoppers in 1960. When Redding drove Johnny Jenkins to Memphis for a session at Stax Records in October 1962, Stax co-owner Jim Stewart allowed Redding to cut a couple songs with the remaining studio time. The result was “These Arms Of Mine” in 1962 — the first of many hit singles that Redding enjoyed during his tragically short career.
Redding went on to perform in the United States, Canada, Europe, and the Caribbean, and his concert tours were among the biggest box office smashes of any touring performer during his time. His performances included a show at the iconic Whisky A Go Go on Los Angeles’ Sunset Strip in April 1966, a live recording of which was later released in October 1968; and a set at the legendary Monterey International Pop Festival in June 1967 where he achieved crossover fame.
On December 10, 1967, Redding was involved in a plane crash that took his life, along with the lives of members of the Bar-Kays band. But at the ripe age of 26, his legacy was solidified. “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” was released posthumously in 1968. It reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the R&B Singles chart, earned two GRAMMY Awards, and marks one of three recordings of his inducted into the GRAMMY Hall Of Fame. Inspired by The Beatles’ classic Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album, the song signaled Redding’s creative expansion as a writer and artist, and became his biggest worldwide hit and signature recording. Redding’s numerous awards and accolades include induction into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in 1981 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989, and a Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999. Today, Redding is regarded as one of the music acts that helped make Los Angeles’ Whisky A Go Go a music mecca. The exhibit will open just three months prior to the 50th anniversary of the legendary shows he performed here in April 1966.
Respect! Otis Redding and the Revolution of Soul will be on display through September 2016.
