- First artist to have a number one hit posthumously on Billboard's "Hot 100" chart with his recording of "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" (Volt 157). The song was recorded only three days before his untimely death.
- The whistling at the end of "Dock of the Bay" was improvised on the spot by Redding because he forgot the words he had composed for the fade-out of the song (the song itself was written by Steve Cropper).
- Peter Gabriel has admitted that his biggest international hit, "Sledgehammer", was inspired by Redding, who was his favourite singer as a teenager and one of his biggest influences.
- Posthumously inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame (1988), the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1989), the American Songwriters Hall of Fame (1994), and the Rhythm & Blues Music Hall of Fame (2013).
- Following his untimely death in a plane crash, he was interred on the grounds of his family estate in Round Oak, Jones County, Georgia.
- In 2007, his widow Zelma founded the Otis Redding Foundation in her husband's massive honor. The Foundation continues to offer music and arts education programs in Macon, Georgia.
- Was one of the performers featured on a set of stamps of rock and blues legends issued by the U.S. Postal Service in June 1993.
- He was voted the eighth greatest singer of the rock era in a Rolling Stone magazine poll (2008).
- His iconic song "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" was released after his untimely death.
- In 2002, the city of Macon, Georgia honored its native son by unveiling a memorial statue of Redding in the city's Gateway Park. The park is next to the Memorial Bridge, which crosses the Ocmulgee River.
- Had three biological children with his wife Zelma: sons Otis III and Dexter, and daughter Karla. Zelma adopted a second daughter, Demetria ("Dee Dee"), after Otis' untimely death.
- Brother of Louise McClain and Deborah Redding.
- He was voted the 21st Greatest Rock 'n' Roll Artist of all time by Rolling Stone magazine.
- Was friends with Wilson Pickett.
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