Estelle, Ludacris pay tribute to late Otis Redding

Tools

Estelle, Ludacris pay tribute to late Otis Redding

ATLANTA (AP) - Grammy-winning singer Estelle remembered when she used to strut in the living room when she was younger, singing many of soul legend Otis Redding's classic songs like "Sittin' On The Dock of the Bay."

On Thursday night, she had a bigger audience as she and others paid homage to the soul singer in a two-hour performance at the Woodruff Arts Center in Atlanta.

"I'm just trying to do his song justice," said Estelle, who sang "Satisfaction," the Rolling Stones song that Redding covered. "I hope I come close to making the song sound great just like him."

Estelle was joined in honoring Redding by Anthony Hamilton, married couple Kenny Lattimore and Chante Moore, and Redding's sons Dexter and Otis III.

"Singing the same songs he used to sing makes me realize how much of an impact he had in music," said Anthony Hamilton, who performed "Try a Little Tenderness" with Dexter and Otis III.

Redding established himself in the early 1960s as a first-rate songwriter, penning and recording "Respect," which Aretha Franklin made a No. 1 hit. His biggest hit, "Sittin' On The Dock of the Bay," was released after his death in a plane crash in December 1967.

"Tonight, his name lives on," said Redding's wife, Zelma. She established the Big "O" Youth Educational Dream Foundation, which also honored NASCAR's Kyle Petty, rapper Ludacris and talent developer Devyne Stephens for their foundation's outreach programs.

"Otis would be so proud of what so many of these people have done in the community," Zelma Redding said.

Rapper Ludacris said he was humbled after meeting and sitting next to Redding's wife, sons and daughter.

"I'm just a fan of Otis Redding," the rapper said. "His legacy will live forever and he has been one of the major influences in who I am. It's as simple as that."

(Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

View comments

The following comments do not necessarily represent the views of NBC Augusta 26 | news, weather, sports, community, entertainment, shopping for Augusta, Georgia. Users have agreed to these terms and in doing so accept full responsibility for their comments. Moderation is limited.

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 500 Characters Left

WAGT and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. Comments are posted on site immediately and without station moderation. If you feel a comment is inappropriate you may flag it for review. For guidelines on flagging comments see our Terms & Conditions. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.

I have read and agree to the terms

Hide comments

More Good Stuff

WAGT Weather

Click here for 7 Day Forecast
Icon
Current Temp 56.0 °F
Fair
More Weather

WAGT Weather

YouNews

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

On Demand

NBC Augusta 26 RSS FeedsNBC Augusta 26 Twitter Feed NBC Augusta 26 Facebook Page NBC Full Shows Online

Viewer Poll

Do you plan to go shopping the day after Thanksgiving?

  • Yes
  • No
  • Undecided