Otis Redding
The King of the Soul Singers
This seating area is dedicated to honor the memory of Otis Redding, Jr., who lost his life in a plane crash in Lake Monona on December 10, 1967 while en route to a Madison engagement.
Known as the "King of the Soul Singers," Redding was acclaimed during his life in France and England as the world's top popular male singer. Four months after his death, he achieved his first American number one record with "Dock of the Bay."
On the morning of the flight to Madison, Redding had been warned of bad weather and was advised to postpone his trip. His loyalty to his Madison fans forced him to proceed. It was the only engagement of his career that he ever missed.
Otis Redding stands with Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin and Sam Cooke in the first rank of American rhythm and blues singers.
Marker can be reached from the intersection of Wilson Street and Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, on the left when traveling west.
Courtesy hmdb.org
