Singer Otis Redding was born on September 9, 1941. Even though he was only 26 when he died, he is known as “one of the greatest singer-songwriters” in American pop, soul, and R & B (per Wikipedia). As a teen, Redding worked with Little Richard’s backing band, The Upsetters. He released “These Arms of Mine” as his first single in 1962. His other songs include “Try a Little Tenderness” and “Respect” (which was later covered and rearranged by Aretha Franklin). He would be posthumously awarded Grammys, including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement award, and inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame and the Songwriters’ Hall Of Fame.

Shortly before his death in a plane crash, Redding recorded “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” with Steve Cropper. And that’s the song I’ll leave you with today.