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While walking through CVS a few days ago I heard “Sitting On
the Dock of the Bay” on their in-store network. It was the
original recording sung by the incomparable Otis Redding. I
hear it on AC radio stations, cable services….everywhere and
often. It is one of those songs that seems to live forever…a
long laster. I always smile when I hear it because Otis was
a friend of mine!!!
I was introduced to Otis by Atlantic Record promotion person
Joe Galkin. It seems that Joe, record man Phil Walden, and
Stax label co-owner Jim Stewart all had a hand in the career
of Otis Redding. Rumor has it that in the early 60’s Jim was
recording Johnny Jenkins at Jim’s Stax studios in Memphis.
Otis was a singer with the Jenkins band. There was twenty
minutes left on the session so Otis recorded a couple of
songs…and I believe one of those was “I Have Been Loving You
So Long”. However, whenever it was recorded it became a hit
in the southern US almost immediately, and then nation wide.
My favorite by Otis was/is “Try A Little Tenderness”…the
last minute of it is fabulous, very clever.
Otis drove from his home in Macon to my office in Atlanta
frequently to listen to the latest record releases and check
up on the TOP 40. He was very interested in all forms of
music. Generally, we would sit listening to new product over
and over for two to three hours. He had a very commercial
hear….picked hits with great accuracy.
Otis was nominated for three Grammy Awards in 1967…. the
same year he died in a plane crash not too far from Chicago.
I’ll never forget when and where I got the news of the
crash. I had attended a radio convention in Las Vegas (I
think I was there to be a panelist), and decided to fly to
Dallas to spend the night with my in-laws en route to my
Atlanta headquarters the next day. After unpacking I fixed a
sandwich, opened a can of beer and flipped on the TV.
Fifteen seconds later there was a TV news bulletin
announcing “a private plane crash” and all passengers were
assumed dead. Minutes later it was announced that Otis and
some of the Jenkin’s band members were on the plane, and,
indeed there were no survivors.
I was shocked!!! Because only a month prior while visiting
in my office Otis and I talked about flying to the Nassau in
the near future in HIS plane!!! Flying in the SAME plane
that crashed!!! I remember the conversation so well because
I complained that I was afraid of flying on a private
aircraft…and Otis went to great lengths to describe HIS
plane, great mechanics and experienced pilots, etc. He
encouraged me that we would be absolutely safe. He sold me
to go on the trip which we would schedule soon I reluctantly
agreed. I know because I WAS THERE!!!
Some months after the crash the aforementioned Joe Galkin
said, “Kent, you remember those initialed, black and gold
cuff links Otis had made for you in Europe? Otis had a pair
made for me, and a pair for himself. He was wearing his the
night of the crash.” I felt a chill go up and down my
spine!!! I have not worn them since. And, about a private
plane “if I can’t stand up in it, I don’t fly in it”…that is
my thought!!
The events… from the crash to the cuff links is absolutely
weird!!! Scary!!!
Otis was a wonderful person, a great singer and musician. If
he lived today he would have had many more hits like “Dock
of the Bay”. I miss his music creativity, of course. But,
most of all I miss Otis as a friend…and listening to the
future hits in my office!! Thanks Otis, for the enjoyment
you brought to all your friends…you certainly had a lot of ‘em!!!
e-mail Kent
kent@kentburkhart.com
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