How we all wish we could have been there today to help honor Macon, Georgia’s own Otis Redding as he received a posthumous star in the category of Live Theatre/Live Performance on the iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles, California.
In a statement released prior to this afternoon’s (Oct. 4th) unveiling ceremony, Ana Martinez, Producer of the Walk of Fame ceremonies, noted, “The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is honored to dedicate a star to the legendary Otis Redding, whose music continues to inspire generations.”
The ceremony’s emcee, Grammy-winning producer and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Jimmy Jam, couldn’t help but gush as he said The King of Soul’s name outloud to the crowd.
“I’m so excited to be here today to emcee as we welcome the legendary…I say LEGENDARY in all capital letters…Otis Redding, to the Hollywood Walk Of Fame,” he said to applause.
Georgia-based, Grammy-winning rapper Killer Mike was also on hand to say a few words, and spoke perfectly and very personally when he described his connection to Redding’s music and the powerful, positive influence Redding continues to have in the world today.
“As important as the music is, there are other things that are important [too] and that’s being a good father, a good husband, that’s being a provider . . . he [Redding] inspired us to be good men. I know one day when I transition and the Lord calls me home and my wife will have me in the yard somewhere buried, I know that I will have lived up to the man principle he set up.”
Of course, Killer Mike wasn’t going to let the chance pass by to honor Redding’s widow, Zelma Redding, who has worked tirelessly for decades to uphold her husband’s profound musical legacy and the dreams he left behind when he tragically passed away in 1967.
“You don’t get Martin [Luther King, Jr.] without Coretta [Scott King.] You don’t get Malcolm [X] without Betty… and you don’t get Otis without Zelma.”
Otis’ daughter Karla Redding-Andrews accepted the honor on her late father’s behalf. Redding-Andrews, who runs the Otis Redding Foundation alongside her mother Zelma, echoed Killer Mike’s sentiments in lifting up the late King of Soul not only as a musical visionary and extraordinary talent, but also as an exemplary man with a great heart for others.
“My father certainly is famous for his amazing lyrics, his amazing orchestrations of music, but most importantly, I want you to understand the person that he was,” Redding-Andrews told the crowd gathered in Hollywood.
“He was such a family man. He loved his wife, he loved his family, he loved his children, and he loved his fans around the world.”
Redding is regarded as one of the greatest singer-songwriters in the history of American popular music. Born in Dawson, Georgia, Redding moved to Macon at age two and began his music career in the church choir. After excelling in local talent shows, he joined Johnny Jenkins and the Pinetoppers in 1958. His breakthrough came in 1962 with “These Arms of Mine,” marking the start of a series of iconic hits including, “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay,” “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long,” “Respect,” and “Try a Little Tenderness.” Redding toured throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and the Caribbean and became one of the biggest box-office successes of any touring artist at the time. His electrifying performances captivated audiences worldwide, with notable appearances at the Apollo Theatre and Monterey Pop Festival.
But his life and career would be tragically cut short.
On December 10, 1967, while on the way to a concert, Redding’s private plane, a twin-engine Beechcraft, crashed into Lake Monona in Madison, Wisconsin. Posthumously inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and awarded a GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award in addition to winning Grammy Awards for Best R&B Song and Best Male R&B Vocal Performance in 1969, Redding’s influence continues through the work of the Otis Redding Foundation, ran by his wife Zelma and daughter Karla Redding-Andrews, which preserve his legacy through empowering music education involving writing and instrumentation for all youth. His groundbreaking moves as an artist and philanthropist in the 1960s continue to inspire. Otis Redding’s vision of music being a universal force remains a cornerstone of his enduring legacy.
The Otis Redding Center for the Arts is slated to open its doors in downtown Macon this fall. Click here to learn more.