Otis Redding before he was famous

The nobody years

1. 

   1944 Macon public housing

   He was three when his family moved into Tindall Heights.

   Moved with his family to Tindall Heights, a public housing project in Macon, at the age of three. Source

2. 

   1956 Left school at fifteen

   At fifteen he left school; his father had tuberculosis.

   Left school at fifteen to support the family after his father contracted tuberculosis. Source

3. 

   1958 Five dollars a week

   He won the same radio talent contest fifteen weeks running.

   Won a local radio talent contest fifteen weeks in a row for a five-dollar prize. Source

4. 

   1962 Just the driver

   In 1962 he drove guitarist Johnny Jenkins to Stax in Memphis.

   Drove guitarist Johnny Jenkins to a recording session at the Stax studio in Memphis. Source

5. 

   1962 Leftover studio time

   The session ended early. They let the driver sing two songs.

   Was allowed to sing two songs after that session ended early with time to spare. Source

6. 1941

   Was born in Dawson, Georgia, the fourth of six children and the first son. Source

7. late 1940s

   Sang in the Vineville Baptist Church choir and learned guitar and piano. Source

8. early 1950s

   Earned money every Sunday performing gospel songs for Macon radio station WIBB. Source

9. late 1950s

   Worked as a well digger and as a gasoline station attendant. Source

10. late 1950s

    Was hired by the Upsetters for about twenty-five dollars a show. Source

Reconstructions of documented moments, generated with AI. Not archive photographs, and not depictions of real people. © The Nobody Years