Born in 1941, Otis Redding began as a singer in Johnny Jenkins And The Pinetoppers. He released two solo singles on local Georgia label, and his third "These Arms Of Mine," was released by Stax Records subsidiary Volt in 1963. The song reached #20 on the R&B charts. He continued to have some lower charting R&B songs. In 1965 Redding began having bona fide R&B (and minor pop) hits with "Mr. Pitiful," "I've Been Loving You Too Long," and "Respect" (later a huge hit for Aretha Franklin). 1965's Otis Blue album was a #1 R&B hit and reached #6 in the UK. 1966's The Soul Album was a #3 R&B hit. One of Redding's biggest hits was a duet with Stax label mate Carla Thomas, "Tramp," which was #2 R&B hit. He also performed at the Monterey Pop Festival that year. Three days after recording his future classic, "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay," Redding died in a plane crash on December 10, 1967 at the age of 26. "(Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay" became a million-seller and hit #1 on the US pop charts, as well as reaching #3 in the UK. Some other posthumous hits were released, including "Hard To Handle" which later became a hit for the Black Crowes.