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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Susan Knox

Otis Redding III dies: Singer inspired by legendary dad dies at 59 after cancer battle

Otis Redding III has died after a battle with cancer.

The singer, who followed in his father's musical footsteps, has passed away at the age of 59.

The singer’s cause of death has yet to been confirmed.

Otis' sister, Karla Redding-Andrews broke the sad news that her talented brother had 'lost his battle' with cancer in a heartbreaking post on Facebook.

On Wednesday, Otis' grieving sister wrote: “It is with heavy hearts that the family of Otis Redding III confirms that he lost his battle with cancer last evening.”

Otis had made a big name for himself as a singer and guitarist, after he was given his famous father's name who was a celebrated 1960s soul singer.

The late singer was just 3 years old when his famous father died, along with several members of his band, in a plane crash in 1967.

Otis his brother, Dexter, along with a cousin, Mark Lockett, went on to form the funk band, called the Reddings, which recorded six albums in the 1980s.

Otis was a guitarist with the group, while Dexter played bass and handled the vocals and Mr. Lockett played on keyboards.

The band had success on the Billboard charts with their song 'Remote Control' which reached to No. 6 on the Hot Soul Singles chart and No. 89 on the Hot 100 in 1980.

The group's final album, called 'The Reddings,' which contained the hit single 'Call the Law', reached No. 88 on the Billboard album chart in 1988.

Otis often said he was grateful for his father’s legacy even if it overshadowed his own music.

“I go ahead and do what people want, and I live with it,” he said. “I don’t put myself mentally under any pressure to go begging for record deals.”

Redding's father was nicknamed the 'King of Soul' and is a soul music and R&B legend.

He won two Grammy Awards for (Sittin' on) The Dock of the Bay in 1969 - two years after his death.

Otis won Grammy Awards for (Sittin' on) The Dock of the Bay in 1969 - two years after his death (Michael Ochs Archives)

Following the news of his sad passing, tributes have poured in for Otis.

"Sad to hear we've lost yet another legend. Rest in peace Otis," one fan shared on Twitter.

"They always take the good ones first. Mr Redding, you will be missed," another echoed.

"We have all lost a musical legend," someone else mourned.

While a fourth tweeted: "Otis is now back with his father. And boy oh boy do they have a lot to talk about. RIP man."

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