Otis Ray Redding Jr (September 9, 1941 – December 10, 1967) was an American singer, songwriter, record producer, arranger, and talent scout He is considered one of the greatest singers in the history of American popular music and a seminal artist in soul music and rhythm and blues Redding's style of singing gained inspiration from the gospel music that preceded the genre His singing style influenced many other soul artists of the 1960s During his lifetime, his recordings were produced by Stax Records, based in Memphis, TennesseeRedding was born in Dawson, Georgia, and at the age of 2, moved to Macon, Georgia Redding quit school at age 15 to support his family, working with Little Richard's backing band, the Upsetters, and by performing in talent shows at the historic Douglass Theatre in Macon In 1958, he joined Johnny Jenkins's band, the Pinetoppers, with whom he toured the Southern states as a singer and driver An unscheduled appearance on a Stax recording session led to a contract and his first single, "These Arms of Mine", in 1962
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