Otis Redding’s Tragic Plane Crash in Wisconsin

Dock of the Bay On December 10, 1967, an airplane crashed into Lake Monona, not far from the Madison, Wisconsin airport. On board the plane were Otis Redding and his backing band for the tour, The Bar-Kays band.

Trumpeter Ben Cauley became the sole survivor of the crash. The twin-engine Beechcraft owned by Redding had taken off in rain and heavy fog, but investigators never determined a cause of the crash. Today, there is a memorial at the crash site.

Otis Redding is one of the few artists where I cannot fathom anyone not loving his music. While I may disagree with some folks on music taste, I can still understand why someone may not like the music of Bob Dylan or Elvis Presley. But I believe everyone should love Redding, as he captures the joy, pain, and soul of life.

If I crank up my iPod through the stereo while guests are visiting and I am not sure of their taste in music, I usually play my Redding albums. There is not much music everyone agrees on nowadays, but Redding is unique.

He belongs in that rare camp of people who are both great singers and great songwriters. Redding showed great promise at a young age as a songwriter, having written or co-written such songs as “Respect” and “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long.”

Otis Redding was only 26-years-old when he died, so we can only imagine what he would have accomplished had he lived to old age. Only four months after his death, the last song he recorded — “(Sittin’ on the) Dock of the Bay” — became his first number one song. The song, written by Redding and Steve Cropper, revealed Redding exploring new musical directions.

Below is a live performance of another favorite of mine, “Try a Little Tenderness.” This video includes part of a 1967 European performance from not long before the plane crash that killed Redding, who was reportedly a good man too. RIP.

What is your favorite Otis Redding song? Leave your two cents in the comments.

  • Writing “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay”
  • Otis Redding: Soul Manifesto (Short Review)
  • The 1966 Otis Redding TV Special
  • Sturgill Simpson: “You Don’t Miss Your Water”
  • Spotlight On the Four Magnificent Artists Behind “Sweet Soul Music”
  • You Only Are What You Believe: 1967 Anti-War Protest and the Year’s Music
  • (Some related Chimesfreedom posts.)

    Author: chimesfreedom

    Editor-in-chief, New York.

    7 thoughts on “Otis Redding’s Tragic Plane Crash in Wisconsin”

    1. I do the same thing at my house, if we have people over I know I can put on any Otis cd and no one can complain. I love so many of his songs, but off the top of my head I’d say, “These Arms of Mine”, “Hard to Handle” and of course, “Try a Little Tenderness”. What an impact he made in such (relatively) little time. Thanks.

      1. Yes, the body of work he made in his relatively short life is amazing. I love all of those songs too. One thing I like about “Try a Little Tenderness” is how it allows Redding to illustrate his talents singing both soft and loud. Thanks for the comment.

      1. Thanks, I’ll check out the DVD. I’ve seen clips of his performance at the Monterey Pop Festival but had not seen the extended clip you sent. I’m watching it now. Thanks!

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