Otis Redding
USA, 1960–1967
American soul singer who recorded for Stax and died in 1967 at 26. He wrote 'Respect' and '(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay', and his delivery became a reference point for Southern soul.
MusicRoots documents 5 artists who influenced Otis Redding and 11 artists Otis Redding influenced in turn. Every connection cites a published source.
Who influenced Otis Redding?
- Sam Cooke — Sam Cooke was Otis Redding's first and primary vocal model.
- Little Richard — Redding's way into the business: he sang in Little Richard's style and worked in Richard's old band the Upsetters before Stax.
- Ray Charles — Ray Charles was the gospel-blues foundation feeding Redding's Southern soul.
- Little Willie John — One of Redding's early vocal influences, with Sam Cooke and Little Richard.
- Hank Ballard — One of Redding's early vocal influences, with Sam Cooke and Little Richard.
Which artists did Otis Redding influence?
- Florence and the Machine — The soul end of the male voices Welch names as her models — the full-throated delivery under the art-pop arrangements.
- Toots and the Maytals — Toots Hibbert, often called 'the Otis Redding of reggae', cited Redding as a key influence on his soul-drenched delivery.
- The Spencer Davis Group — Otis Redding's raw soul expressiveness was a direct influence on Winwood's vocal approach.
- Peter Gabriel — Gabriel has named Otis Redding his greatest vocal influence — seeing him live in 1967 was, in his words, the best concert of his life.
- Isaac Hayes — As a Stax songwriter Hayes worked in Otis Redding's Southern-soul world, a direct influence on his sound.
- Rod Stewart — Seeing Otis Redding perform helped convert Stewart to soul.
- Ali Farka Toure — Otis Redding is the other American voice named among those that reached him in Bamako.
- Stereophonics — Otis Redding's raw soul phrasing is among the influences Kelly Jones drew on as a singer and lyricist.
- Gil Scott-Heron — Named among his influences, and the soul end of a voice usually discussed as poetry.
- Buffalo Springfield — Named in the dedication list on the back of Buffalo Springfield Again (1967), 'for their influences and inspiration'.
- Small Faces — The soul end of the Black American music Steve Marriott listened to, with Miles Davis and Booker T.