Otis Redding III, the son of legendary soul singer Otis Redding, has passed away at the age of only 59.
The singer, whose father died in a plane crash in 1967, followed his dad’s footsteps and started the band The Reddings with his brother Dexter.
After six albums and many Billboard-charting singles, the funk band recorded their final album 1988 but Redding continued performing.
Redding was once hired as a guitarist for Eddie Floyd, and thanks to the singer, Redding became more comfortable performing his father’s songs.
In a 2018 interview with USA Today, Redding recalled: “He said, ‘You can play guitar with me, but you’re going to have to sing a few of your dad’s songs.’ I was like, ‘Huh? I don’t sing,’ you know. And he was like, ‘Well, you’re going to sing ‘Dock of the Bay’ with me tonight.’”
That same year, he underwent surgery for prostate cancer.
“Any time you hear the word you have a life-threatening disease like cancer, it gets to you mentally,” he told WSB.
Redding continued to perform the most popular songs of his father even after he admitted that his father’s legacy overshadowed his ability to make music.
On Wednesday, Redding’s grieving sister Karla Redding took to social media and confirmed the passing of her brother.
“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.”
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