In an effort to teach young’ns a thing or two about one of the most influential American soul singer/songwriters of all time (and celebrate his life and music), the Grammy Museum unveiled their newest exhibit, Respect!: Otis Redding and the Revolution of Soul. Working in conjunction with Jampol Artist Management’s gentle giants, Jeff Jampol and Arron Saxe, Grammy Museum Executive Director Bob Santelli curated a multi-sensory gallery, which features rare photos and performance footage, original stage outfits and Redding’s personal belongings procured from the site of his fatal plane crash.

L-R: Dexter Redding, Karla Redding-Andrews, Zelma Redding, Otis Redding III (Photo by Rebecca Sapp/WireImage)

Redding’s widow, Zelma, and three of their children participated in a heart-warming panel, reminiscing over the icon's life and his posthumous impact on music at the exhibit's launch. Many were surprised to learn that Redding was only on the music scene for five years before his untimely death at the age of 26. Within that short span, he earned his title as the King of Soul, writing and performing chart-topping hits "Respect" and "These Arms Of Mine," along with other gems.

His legacy, of course, lives on to affect modern pop music. Even Kanye West paid homage to the trailblazer on "Otis," a collaboration with Jay Z; peep it here.

Redding's sons, Dexter and Otis III, closed the night with a moving performance of the 1968 Grammy-winning single, “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay,” which had every geezer and millennial in the room whistling along loud and proud.

Be sure to check out Respect!: Otis Redding and the Revolution of Soul, on display through September 2016. All hail the King!

L'Chaim,
Naomi Robin