Otis Ray Redding, Jr. (September 9, 1941 – December 10, 1967) Photo Credit: Redferns/Retna Ltd.
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#1 R&B, #1 Pop
The title phrase from Michael Jackson’s song “Gone to Soon,” is the tailored made three word 
description for the late great soul singer/performer/songwriter Otis Redding.
Redding perished in a plane crash in December 1967, while on tour with his Stax labelmates the Barkays: there was only one survivor.
Redding had just recently written “The Dock of the Bay” in an effort to broaden his musical horizons and to give something new to his fans. Some around him felt the song wan’t right for him, but Otis knew it was a great song. Otis was so right in his feelings for ” The Dock of the Bay:” the song not only “crossed-over” to top both the R&B AND Pop charts in 1968 when released poshumously — it also won not one but two Grammy awards!
TDOB won the 1968 Grammy Award Best Rhythm and Blues Song for songwriters Otis Redding and Steve Cropper and 1968 Grammy for Best Rhythm and Blues Vocal Performance, Male for Otis Redding.
This song was one of my favorites for a long, long time after it’s release. I (along with most of my teenage friends) knew every word and sang it whenever possible. Young and old, Black and White — everyone loved it. And of course I still do and always will.
What are your thought about “Dock of the Bay?” My comment section is ready and waiting to hear from you.
Musically Yours,
Filed under:(Sittin' On) The Dock of The Bay,Grammy Gold,Magnificent Male Vocalists,Number Ones,Otis Redding,Otis Redding & Steve Cropper,Pop/Soul,R&B/Soul,Sixties,Stax of Soul,Stax/Volt
