(April 19, 2023) He had a name that made him an instantly recognizable legacy, and the talent that made him a respected artist in his own right. Today, we say a sad goodbye to Otis Redding III, who has died of cancer.
The Redding family issued the following statement: "It is with heavy hearts that the family of Otis Redding III confirms that he lost his battle with cancer last evening at Atrium Health Navicent in Macon, Ga. Otis was 59 years old. Please keep our family in your prayers at this time and please respect our privacy as we consume this huge loss. Arrangements will be announced at a later date." Karla Redding-Andrews
(April 19, 2023) He had a name that made him an instantly recognizable legacy, and the talent that made him a respected artist in his own right. Today, we say a sad goodbye to Otis Redding III, who has died of cancer.
The Redding family issued the following statement: "It is with heavy hearts that the family of Otis Redding III confirms that he lost his battle with cancer last evening at Atrium Health Navicent in Macon, Ga. Otis was 59 years old. Please keep our family in your prayers at this time and please respect our privacy as we consume this huge loss. Arrangements will be announced at a later date." Karla Redding-Andrews
Redding was a songwriter, producer, guitarist and singer who first caught the attention of music fans as part of the family act The Reddings, releasing a half dozen albums with the group in the 80s, and hitting the charts with the singles “Remote Control,” “Call The Law,” and a nice remake of his father’s signature song, “Sittin’ On The Dock of The Bay.”
Redding went on to a nice solo career, touching on both R&B and blues in his many recordings. We most recently covered his cool, bluesy midtempo “Dance, Dance, Dance” in 2017. The ever-humble Redding told us several years ago about his work, “The music has to have feeling and emotion. While I’m playing guitar or singing, I don’t proclaim to be a vocalist like my father.”
We received word of Redding’s passing from a notable fellow musician, who simply said “I have never met a better man.”
Redding was extremely involved in the community, particularly through his family’s philanthropic organization, The Otis Redding Foundation. He participated in the annual Otis Redding Singer/Songwriter Camp and also mentored young musical hopefuls.
Redding was a talented man and musician who never shied away from his family legacy, but handled it with grace as he continued to spread the love of music to fans around the world. Rest in peace.
By Chris Rizik