From the MCRFB NEWS archive: 1968
Redding Tops in Singles and LP Sales
NEW YORK – Otis Redding, who died in a plane crash last December, is achieving the success that eluded him during his lifetime. This week, Redding’s Volt record of “Dock Of The Bay” passed the one million sales mark and went into No. 1 on the Hot 100 chart. It marks the first single of Redding’s ever to hit a million. and according to Atlantic Records‘ sales executives. who handle the Stax-Volt line, sales are continuing at a strong pace.
Redding is also setting new sales marks with his album product. His new LP on Volt, “Dock Of The Bay,” which was issued about two weeks ago, had the largest advance order of any of his LP’s. One of the previously unreleased sides in the “Dock of the Bay” LP, called “Open the Door” is receiving such strong airplay that there is a possibility Volt Records may issue it as Redding’s next single.
Sales of Redding’s albums spurted shortly after his death. His albums are among the best-selling items at Atlantic, keeping pace with the firm’s other top artists. The Redding LP’s most in demand are “Otis Blue,” “Otis Redding Live In Europe,” “History of Otis Redding” and the newly issued “Dock Of The Bay.”
The interest in Redding’s career since his death has grown in the consumer press and TV. Virtually every important music magazine has written about Redding and new stories are in the works. A TV film made in England of Redding performing “Shake” and “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long” has been used on many U. S. stations. Currently, two networks are preparing shows on Redding which will he ready in the spring. Also, a packager of TV shows is interested in doing a one-hour documentary on Redding.
Redding’s trip to Europe with the Stax-Volt show last spring was filmed and reports indicate that there will be a one -hour film compiled from the footage. It will be available for showing on either TV or as a regular film feature for distribution on the college circuit. END
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(Information and news source: Billboard; March 16, 1968)
