Remembering “Doc of the Bay” Musician Otis Redding

by Will DeFour, age 16

Next year marks the 60th anniversary of the death of one of the greatest soul musicians, Otis Redding, in Lake Monona.

Redding was born on Sep. 9, 1941. In his childhood, he was greatly influenced by other famous soul singers. Early in his career, he joined a band from Georgia called Johnny Jenkins Pinetoppers. In this band, Redding drew attention from his soon-to-be manager with “These Arms of Mine,” a song he wrote himself. He quickly rose to fame with hit after hit. During his time in Europe, he was renowned as the world's most popular male singer. His popularity would have only grown from there, but he was killed in a plane crash in 1967.

On the evening of Dec. 10, 1967, Redding was on a small charter plane heading to Madison. He was to play at the Factory, a popular Madison club at the time, with his band, the Bar-Kays. His plane crashed into Lake Monona, killing all passengers on board, except Ben Cauley, a trumpeter in the band. After his death, Redding's record “Doc of the Bay” was published. It was his first #1 American record and remains his most popular song.

In 1987, a memorial plaque was installed on the Monona Terrace, overlooking the spot where he died. The plaque commemorates him as the first rank of American Rhythm and Blues singers.

[Sources: Encyclopedia Britannica; Isthmus]