Songwriter and guitarist Otis Redding III, son and namesake of the iconic 1960s soul singer, has succumbed to cancer at age 59, his family said Wednesday. Redding was only 3 times his age when his father, Otis Redding, along with several other band members, died in a plane crash on December 10, 1967. A decade later, a young Redding and his family Dexter formed a funk band.
Reddings, recorded six albums in the 1980s. “The family of Otis Redding III can confirm that he has lost his battle with cancer in the evening of history,” his family Carla Redding-Andrews said in a statement posted on the Otis Redding Foundation’s Facebook run. Charity in Macon. Reddings had a Top 10 megahit on Billboard’s Hot Soul Singles chart in 1980 with “Remote Control”.
The follow-up single, “Call the Law” hit the top 20 on that chart in 1988 (it was called Hot Black Mates). “Remote Control” hit the Billboard Hot 100, as did their father’s Immortal in 1982″ (Sitting on the Wharf of the Bay.” Redding continued to play and perform after the band recorded their final album, Reader, in 1988. He had previously been recruited as soul singer Eddie Floyd’s guitarist for a European stint, mentoring Little Reddy on “(Sittin’ On) Wharf of the Bay” and other songs by his infamous father.”
He said, ‘You can play guitar with me, but you can play your Potter. Gotta sing some of the songs,'” Reding recalled in a 2018 interview with WCSH-Television in Portland, Maine. “I was like, ‘Huh? I don’t sing,’ you know. And he was like, OK, you’re going to sing “Wharf of the Bay” with me tonight.'” Redding worked with his family’s foundation to organize educational summer camps.
Kiddy played music and served as Chairman of the Board for the original chapter of Reflections on Wheels. From appearing on stage at Carnegie Hall for the 2018 Otis Redding Tribute Concert to singing at weddings and private parties, he continues to perform his father’s songs for cults large and small, according to the website.
Although Redding covered his sweat to make his own music, he’s thankful for the lasting legacy. As hard as it is, you know, ‘Sing one of your paternal songs,'” he told a Maine television station.” So I go ahead and do what people want and I live with it. But I’m under no pressure and no emotional pressure to solicit record deals.”
