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Discovering The 'Unfinished Life' Of Otis Redding

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An iconic figure in modern American music, Otis Redding was more than a soulful voice. He was a songwriter, bandleader and arranger, drawing from rhythm & blues, gospel and other sounds of the American South. 

His hits include "(Sittin' on) The Dock of the Bay,""Try A Little Tenderness," and "I've Been Loving You Too Long." Redding was also the writer and original artist behind Aretha Franklin's enduring rendition of "Respect."

Redding died unexpectedly in a plane crash in December 1967. What challenges and triumphs did Redding face during his "unfinished life"?

Who were Redding's most valued collaborators? How did Redding and his music fit into American society in the 1960s? 

Guest: Jonathan Gould, author "Otis Redding: An Unfinished Life"

This is a prerecorded interview. No calls will be taken during the live hour. 

"The Source" is a live call-in program airing Mondays through Thursdays from 12-1 p.m. Email thesource@tpr.org, tweet at @TPRSource, or leave a voicemail with your questions and comments by calling 210-615-8982.

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Jan Ross Piedad Sakian is TPR’s News Operations Producer. In this role, she develops strategy on collaborative and digital initiatives for the station. Since 2016, Jan Ross has served in a coordinating capacity for TPR’s state and national partners, including The Texas Newsroom.