Otis Redding was one of the most iconic soul singers of the 1960s, with hits such as “Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay” and “Try a Little Tenderness.” He was a talented artist who left a lasting impact on the music world. However, his life was tragically cut short when he died in a plane crash in December 1967. The circumstances surrounding his death were shocking and gruesome, with his body frozen and destroyed in the aftermath of the accident.
A crane pulls the wreckage of Otis Redding’s Beechcraft H18 out of Lake Monona. Redding and four of his band members were killed when his plane crashed into the lake near Madison, Wisconsin, on December 10, 1967.
Otis Redding was just 26 years old when he died. He had been on tour with his band, The Bar-Kays, and was flying from Cleveland to Madison, Wisconsin, for a concert on December 10th, 1967. The Beechcraft H18 plane crashed into Lake Monona, killing all but one of the eight people on board.
The cause of the crash is still unknown, but it is believed that poor weather conditions and pilot errors played a role. The plane crashed into the lake at high speed, killing everyone on board instantly. Otis Redding’s body was recovered the next day, along with his bandmates, Ronnie Caldwell, Phalon Jones, Carl Cunningham, and Jimmy King.
The aftermath of the crash was horrific. The victims’ bodies were severely damaged, with many suffering from severe burns and other injuries. Otis Redding’s body, in particular, was in a shocking state. It had been submerged in the cold waters of Lake Monona for several hours before it was recovered, and as a result, it was frozen solid.
When the authorities attempted to remove Otis Redding’s body from the plane wreckage, they found it had frozen to the floor. They had to use a blowtorch to cut the body loose, which caused severe damage to the remains. Otis Redding’s head and torso were severely burned, and his left arm had been severed at the shoulder.
The condition of Otis Redding’s boy was so shocking that his family initially considered not having a public funeral. However, they ultimately decided to proceed with the service held on December 18th, 1967, in Macon, Georgia. It was attended by thousands of mourners, including many famous musicians such as James Brown, Aretha Franklin, and Stevie Wonder.
Despite the damage to his body, Otis Redding was still wearing the gold ring his wife had given him, which was used to identify him. The ring was inscribed with the words “Otis Redding, The Big O,” a testament to his status as a legendary performer.
The death of Otis Redding was a huge loss to the music world. He had been a rising star and was considered one of the most talented performers of his generation. His soulful voice and heartfelt lyrics have touched the hearts of millions of fans around the world, and his legacy continues to live on today.
