This Day in Music History
On this day in 1967, there was a plane crash in Wisconsin that killed Otis Redding, his road manager, and four members of the Bar-Kays. Redding's death came not long after he penned and recorded "Dock of the Bay," which signaled a new and obviously exciting new direction for him musically. He, like so many other musicians, was taken just when he was hitting his prime as a musician.
I've often wondered if any singer had as much soul as Otis did. I'm not really an authority on the subject, but it's hard for me not to be overcome with feeling when I hear songs like "I've Got Dreams to Remember," "These Arms of Mine," or "Come to Me." It's hard for me not to move when I hear "Shake," or "Hard to Handle." His voice was powerful, distinctive, and conveyed a level of feeling we have not seen since his death.
I won't deny that he had many talented contemporaries, from Al Green to Wilson Pickett, and I'd recommend them to anyone. But on this day, you all need to give some of Otis's music a spin. His songs will remind you of how painful it can be trying to find someone to love. They'll also help you remember why it's worth it.
I'll try to make my next post a little less cheesy...but Otis's music tends to make me all mushy. Have a good weekend, peeps!
Posted by Mr. Eff on 12/10/2004 || link
