The Reddings
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1980 |
| Founder | Dexter Redding, Otis Redding III, Mark Lockett |
| Defunct | 1988 |
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Funk, soul, disco music |
The Reddings were a U.S.-based ensemble specializing in funk, soul, and disco, formed by Dexter Redding (bass, vocals) and Otis Redding III (guitar), sons of Otis Redding, together with Mark Lockett (drums, keyboards, lead vocals). Their prominent songs include "Remote Control," "The Awakening" (1980), "Doin' it," "Funkin on the One," "Class (Is What You Got)" (1981), a rendition of their father's classic "(Sittin' on) the Dock of the Bay" (1982), and "Hand Dance" (1983).
History
Dexter, Otis III, and Mark Lockett recorded their first album, The Awakening, between 1979 and 1980. The project was produced by Russell Timmons and Nick Mann at Believe in a Dream studio located in Washington, D.C. In December 1980, their single "Remote Control" climbed to #6 on the Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart and reached #89 on the Billboard Hot 100. This track, penned by Nick Mann, Bill Beard, and Chet Fortune from Washington's Last Colony Music, was featured in the 1980s television series WKRP in Cincinnati and has maintained popularity across European countries such as Belgium, France, Italy, and the Netherlands. The album’s title track, "The Awakening," a bass-and-drums instrumental duet, also received considerable radio play and has been frequently interpreted by musicians including Les Claypool of Primus.
During the 1980s, The Reddings produced several albums that achieved modest chart placements. Their sixth and concluding album, The Reddings, released on November 26, 1988, attained position #88 on the US Billboard 200 albums chart. It included the single "Call The Law," which reached #16 on the Billboard Hot Black Singles Chart.
Otis Redding III died from cancer on April 18, 2023, at the age of 59.
Discography
- The Awakening (1980)
- Class (1981)
- Steamin' Hot (1982)
- Back To Basics (1983)
- If Looks Could Kill (1985)
- The Reddings (1988)