Otis Redding of Macon, Georgia, who came to define the sound of Stax Records after he traveled to Memphis, would have turned 80 years old this Thursday, September 9, and a series of events will be taking place across many platforms to mark the singer’s birthday.
For starters, the State of Georgia will be declaring the day “Otis Redding Day” at an event tomorrow at The Otis Redding Museum. The museum will also unveil a new collection of memorabilia chronicling Redding’s life, legacy, and influences on the world with handwritten notes, unseen photos, and more. More information can be found at The Otis Redding Foundation website.
Rhino Records is also introducing several releases of the music that made Redding a legend in the 1960s and beyond. To date, his songs have garnered more than 3 billion (and counting) streams worldwide. Though no one in their right mind would complain about the original tracks, progress marches on, and perhaps new details in the recordings can be heard when Rhino introduces new immersive Dolby Atmos mixes for seven of his tracks, including “These Arms of Mine,” “Pain In My Heart,” “Love Man,” “That’s How Strong My Love Is” and “I’ve Got Dreams To Remember,” not to mention his two holiday hits “Merry Christmas Baby” and “White Christmas.” All seven tracks will be available this Thursday, September 9 on all streaming platforms that feature immersive audio.
Fans of the original mixes may be familiar with Rhino’s 7-LP Otis Redding: The Definitive Studio Album Collection. This vinyl boxed set, originally released four years ago, features all seven of the original Atco, Volt and Stax studio albums in replica sleeves that recreate the original packaging. The collection sold out quickly and is now out of print, but that will change on December 10 when Rhino re-releases the set, with pre-orders available now.
One way to order it will be via the mobile shopping app NTWRK, which will feature a special program hosted by Redding’s family, during which fans can pre-order The Definitive Studio Album Collection with an exclusive poster, as well as limited-edition merchandise. This will be the first in a two-part series that will also raise awareness and funds for The Otis Redding Foundation.
Though those original recordings hold up, the possibilities of tinkering with classics are hard to resist, so this fall will see other artists roll out new remixes of some of his classic tracks. The series kicks off this Thursday with a remix of “Tramp,” Redding’s classic 1967 duet with Carla Thomas, by the Australian electronic duo Korky Buchek.
Tomorrow will also witness a tribute to Redding by Memphis’ own DJ D-Nice, who will host a “Club Quarantine” virtual party on his Instagram page to celebrate The King of Soul, beginning at 7 p.m. For his continued role in supporting Redding’s legacy, D-Nice will also receive the Award of Respect from The Otis Redding Foundation, a philanthropic organization that was established in 2007 by the singer’s widow, Zelma Redding.
Redding’s hometown of Macon has also recently launched a new art exhibition “Inspired by Otis” in partnership with Macon Arts Alliance, showcasing local artists’ works of art inspired by Redding and his legacy. The exhibition opened last week and runs through Friday September 24, 2021. Click here for more information.
Redding and the Stax house band — keyboardist Booker T. Jones, guitarist Steve Cropper, bassist Donald “Duck” Dunn, and drummer Al Jackson Jr. — recorded a string of Top Ten R&B hits between 1962 and 1967 that included “Chained And Bound,” “Mr. Pitiful,” and “Try A Little Tenderness.” He also wrote “Respect,” a song that reached #4 on the R&B chart in 1965. Two years later, Aretha Franklin covered the song and took it to #1 on the pop and R&B charts, making it her signature tune.
Today, Redding and his music continue to gain recognition, as so many Memphians know. He’s been inducted into the halls of fame for Rock and Roll, Rhythm and Blues, Songwriters and Georgia Music. In addition to a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (1999), three of Redding’s songs have been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame: “Respect” (1998), “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long,” (2011), and “Try A Little Tenderness” (2015).