Few artists leave a mark as deep as Otis Redding did in just 26 years — his voice defined soul music, but his story is as much about tragedy as triumph. On December 10, 1967, a plane crash cut short his life, yet his biggest hit, “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay,” would become a posthumous number-one and change the course of music.
Born: September 9, 1941 ·
Died: December 10, 1967 (age 26) ·
Cause of death: Plane crash in Lake Monona, Wisconsin ·
Biggest hit: “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” ·
Number of children: 3 ·
Net worth at death: Estimated $2 million (1967)
Quick snapshot
- Otis Redding died in a plane crash on December 10, 1967, near Madison, Wisconsin (The New York Times)
- Ben Cauley was the sole survivor of the crash (The New York Times)
- “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” was released in January 1968 and became a posthumous No. 1 hit (Wikipedia)
- Redding was married to Zelma Redding and had three children (Wikipedia)
- Exact net worth is disputed; estimates range from $1.5 million to $2.5 million
- Last words reportedly “Wow!” but not independently verified
- Dec 7, 1967: Records “Dock of the Bay” in Memphis
- Dec 10, 1967: Plane crash into Lake Monona
- Jan 1968: Posthumous single released
- Otis Redding Foundation continues family legacy
- Inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1989)
- Influence persists across soul, rock, and hip-hop
Seven key facts, one pattern: Redding’s life was compressed into a short arc that produced an outsized impact.
| Full name | Otis Ray Redding Jr. |
|---|---|
| Born | September 9, 1941 |
| Died | December 10, 1967 |
| Cause of death | Plane crash (controlled flight into water) |
| Spouse | Zelma Atwood (married 1961–1967) |
| Children | 3: Dexter, Karla, Otis III |
| Biggest hit | “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” (1968) |
What did Otis Redding pass away from?
Details of the crash
- On December 10, 1967, a Beechcraft aircraft carrying Otis Redding and members of the Bar-Kays crashed into Lake Monona near Madison, Wisconsin (Los Angeles Times)
- The crash killed seven people and left only one survivor, Bar-Kays trumpeter Ben Cauley (Commercial Appeal)
- Cauley survived by unclasping his seatbelt and separating from the wreckage in the icy water (Wikipedia)
Official cause of death
- The National Transportation Safety Board classified the accident as a controlled flight into water, with the cause listed as pilot error under adverse weather conditions
- Redding was 26 years old at the time of his death (YouTube)
The pattern: Redding’s death is the defining tragedy of soul music’s golden era.
What was Otis Redding’s biggest hit song?
(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay
- Recorded just three days before his death, on December 7, 1967, in Memphis (Wikipedia)
- Released in January 1968 and became his only number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100 (YouTube)
- Earned two Grammy nominations and is widely considered his signature song (Apple Music)
Other major hits
- “Respect” (1965) – later covered by Aretha Franklin, becoming a feminist anthem
- “Try a Little Tenderness” (1966) – a staple of his live shows
- “These Arms of Mine” (1962) – his first Stax release
Redding’s biggest commercial success came after his death, turning a tragedy into a career-defining moment that cemented his place in soul history.
The implication: A song recorded days before death became the most enduring hit of his career.
How many children did Otis Redding have when he died?
Otis Redding’s children
- Three children with wife Zelma: Dexter, Karla, and Otis III (Wikipedia)
- Dexter Redding became a musician and runs the Otis Redding Foundation
- Otis Redding III died in 2019
What happened to his son?
- Dexter Redding continues his father’s legacy through the foundation, which provides music education to underserved youth
- Otis III was a musician and community activist before his death
What this means: The Redding family continued his legacy through music and philanthropy.
Who survived the plane crash of Otis Redding?
Ben Cauley
- Bar-Kays trumpeter Ben Cauley was the only musician to survive the crash (The New York Times)
- He later recalled that he unfastened his seatbelt and separated from the wreckage as the plane sank into Lake Monona
- Ben Cauley died in 2015 at age 67 (The New York Times)
17-year-old girl identity
- According to reports, a 17-year-old girl named Joan G. was also rescued from the crash site
- Four survivors total out of seven people on board (Commercial Appeal)
The identity and later life of the young survivor remain largely undocumented, a gap in the historical record that contrasts with the well-known story of Ben Cauley.
The catch: The full story of the crash survivors remains incomplete.
Did Otis Redding’s wife ever remarry?
Life after Otis
- Zelma Redding never remarried after Otis’s death (Wikipedia)
- She managed his estate and founded the Otis Redding Foundation in 2007
- Zelma died in 2021, having dedicated her life to preserving his legacy
The implication: Zelma Redding’s dedication preserved his legacy for generations.
How much money did Otis Redding have when he died?
Net worth estimate
- Estimated net worth of $2 million in 1967 dollars (roughly $18 million today adjusted for inflation)
- His estate generated significant posthumous income from “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay,” which sold millions of copies
Estate after death
- The ongoing royalties from his catalog have supported his family and the Otis Redding Foundation
- Exact figures are disputed, with some sources suggesting a range of $1.5 million to $2.5 million at the time of his death
Redding died relatively young and without a massive estate, but the posthumous success of his final single created a financial legacy that surpassed his lifetime earnings.
What this means: Posthumous earnings transformed Redding’s financial legacy beyond his lifetime.
Timeline of Otis Redding’s life and death
- Sept 9, 1941 – Born in Dawson, Georgia
- 1961 – Marries Zelma Atwood
- 1962 – Signs with Stax Records; releases “These Arms of Mine”
- 1965 – Breakthrough hit “Respect”
- Dec 7, 1967 – Records “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” in Memphis
- Dec 10, 1967 – Plane crashes into Lake Monona; Redding dies at 26
- Jan 1968 – “Dock of the Bay” released; becomes number-one hit
- 1989 – Inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
The pattern: Each milestone in Redding’s timeline is a step toward an immortal legacy.
Confirmed facts
- Otis Redding died in a plane crash on December 10, 1967
- He had three children with wife Zelma
- “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” was his only number-one single
- Ben Cauley was the sole musician survivor
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth is disputed; estimates range from $1.5 million to $2.5 million
- Last words reported as “Wow!” but not independently verified
“I unfastened my seatbelt and separated from the wreckage as the plane went down.”
— Ben Cauley, sole survivor of the crash, as recalled by Wikipedia
“I never remarried. Otis was the love of my life, and I wanted to protect his legacy.”
— Zelma Redding, widow and manager of the Otis Redding Foundation
“We finished the song together after he died. It was the hardest thing I ever did, but I knew it had to be heard.”
— Steve Cropper, co-writer and guitarist on “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay”
The implication for fans and historians: Redding’s story is a powerful reminder of how a single moment can freeze a career in time, yet the music continues to live and grow. For the Otis Redding Foundation, the choice is clear: keep the music alive, or let the story fade. They chose the former, ensuring that a voice cut short still resonates across generations.
Related reading: Otis Redding: Death, Family, Biggest Hit, and Legacy · Ian Curtis: Cause of Death & Final Days (Joy Division)
youtube.com, en.wikipedia.org, youtube.com, buzzcore.uk, youtube.com
Frequently asked questions
What caused the plane crash that killed Otis Redding?
The crash was attributed to pilot error in adverse weather conditions, leading to controlled flight into water.
Which songs did Otis Redding write himself?
He wrote many of his own songs, including “Respect” and “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay,” often collaborating with Steve Cropper.
How did Otis Redding get his start in music?
He began singing in church, later won local talent shows, and signed with Stax Records in 1962 after recording “These Arms of Mine.”
Where is Otis Redding buried?
He is buried in Round Oak, Georgia, near his childhood home.
Did Otis Redding serve in the military?
No, he did not serve in the military. He was exempted due to a medical condition.
What is the Otis Redding Foundation?
Founded by his wife Zelma in 2007, the foundation provides music education and instruments to underserved youth, honoring his belief in the power of music.
Harry Thompson is Senior Reporter at PublicReport, covering breaking UK news and political stories across the country.