On Friday, (Oct 4) legendary singer and songwriter, Otis Redding, was posthumously honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The unveiling ceremony was held at 6150 Hollywood Boulevard, where Redding’s name was enshrined in the Live Theatre/Live Performance category.
Redding’s widow, Zelma Redding, and several members of the Redding family attended the event, including his son Dexter, daughter Karla Redding-Andrews, grandson Justin Andrews, and son-in-law Timothy Andrews.
Karla Redding-Andrews accepted the star on behalf of her late father, expressing her pride in his legacy both as a visionary artist and as a family man. “He loved his wife, he loved his family, he loved his children, and he loved his fans around the world,” she said during her emotional speech. “Today, we honor not just the music, but the incredible man behind it.”
Legendary producer, Jimmy Jam emceed the ceremony, and other attendees included Verdine White of Earth, Wind & Fire, actor Omar Dorsey, and GRAMMY-winning artist Killer Mike.
Biography
According to Britannica, Redding, born in Macon, Georgia, was deeply influenced by Sam Cooke and Little Richard. In the late 1950s Redding joined Richard’s band, the Upsetters, after Richard had gone solo. It was as a Little Richard imitator that Redding experienced his first minor hit, “Shout Bamalama,” for the Confederate label of Athens, Georgia.
Unabashedly emotional, Redding becaome known for his openthroat singing. His breakthrough came in 1962 with “These Arms of Mine,” marking the start of a series of iconic hits including, “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay,” “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long,” “Respect,” and “Try a Little Tenderness.”
His career was tragically cut short in 1967 when he died in a plane crash in Madison, Wisconsin, at age 26.
He was posthumously inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and awarded a GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award.
Redding’s influence continues through the work of the Otis Redding Foundation, ran by his wife Zelma and daughter Karla Redding-Andrews, which preserve his legacy through empowering music education involving writing and instrumentation for all youth.