Otis Redding & The Bar-Kays

On December 10, 1967, Otis Redding’s tour plane crashed into Wisconsin’s Lake Monona, killing him and four of five members of the R&B group the Bar-Kays, Redding’s backup band. Redding was only 26 years old. One last member of the Bar-Kays was on a commercial flight.

“(Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay,” which Redding started recording only three days earlier, was released in January 1968, and went to No. 1. The whistling parts of that song were part of that first recording, with the intention of being replaced with new lyrics.

(Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay

Respect (the original)

I’ve Been Loving You Too Long

Here is his last TV performance, less than a day before his death.
Try a Little Tenderness

The lost members of the Bar-Kays were eventually replaced and here is the new band with a new look playing “Son of Shaft” at Wattstax in 1972.