OLD ROCKER: Thumbs Up to Gray for honoring singer Otis Redding

THUMBS UP to the city fathers of Gray, Ga., for recently honoring Hall of Fame rocker Otis Redding with a magnificent marker on Main Street at the corner of Highway 11 and Highway 121. More than 1,000 people attended the unveiling.

The 7-foot by 7-foot memorial had a photo of Redding on an album cover with a portion of the vinyl record showing.

The memorial is more than the photo. The interactive marker plays the R&B singer’s music.

A longtime resident of the Macon area, Redding had 11 Top 40 hits, the biggest of which was “Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay,” which reached the top of the charts in 1968. The song was recorded on Dec. 6, 1967, four days before he was killed in an airplane crash in Madison, Wis.

THUMBS DOWN to the public officials of Dawson for ignoring Otis Redding, their native son.

Redding was born in Dawson on Sept. 9, 1941, and lived in the city for three years before his family moved to Tindall Heights near Macon. His father, Otis Redding Sr., was a gospel singer.

Recognized as one of the greatest pop/R&B singers in history, Redding received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and has been inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. He also received the well-deserved nickname “King of Soul.”

While Gray officials have done an exceptional job honoring Redding’s memory, Dawson officials never have acknowledged that Redding was born there..

It’s like he never existed in the Terrell County city.

There’s no justifiable explanation for Dawson’s oversight.

The city should be proud that a singer of Redding’s magnitude came from Dawson.

If you ride around the city, you can’t find a marker that Redding came from there.

It’s truly unfortunate.

THUMBS UP to the early stars of rock ‘n’ roll such as Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Frankie Avalon, Bobby Rydell, Fabian, Charlie Gracie Johnny Mathis and Chubby Checker, among others, who keep performing, not so much for the almighty dollar, but to give their fans of all ages the opportunity to see them perform just one more time.

Bobby Rydell, who tours with the Golden Boys, Frankie Avalon and Fabian, was asked during a recent telephone interview what kind of reception they were receiving. Rydell simply said, “I don’t remember a show when we did not receive a standing ovation at the end.”

‘Nuff said.

Charlie Gracie, who has been performing for more than six decades, is the quintessential entertainer. He admits he is happiest when on stage.

In a recent telephone interview, the 79-year-old Gracie said when he starts to get fidgety around his house, Joan, his wife of more than 50 years, will tell him to go find a place where he can perform.so he can relax.

These are among the early superstars who made rock ‘n’ roll what it is today. And they are performing today because of their love of the music, not the dollar.

THUMBS DOWN to the early rock ‘n’ roll stars who can’t be bothered performing.

It’s a shame that your fans no longer have the opportunity to see you in action one more time.

This week in rock history — The Temptations continued their string of hit singles when “I Can’t Get Next To You” reached No. 1 on Oct. 18, 1969. … Jose Feliciano recorded his version of “Light My Fire” on Oct. 19, 1967. It reached No. 3 in 1968. … Harry Belafonte recorded a traditional Jamaican folk tune called “The Banana Boat Song” on Oct. 20, 1957. It reached No. 5 in 1957 and became Belafonte’s signature song. … On Oct, 21, 1957, “Jailhouse Rock” became Elvis Presley’s ninth chart topper during the past 18 months.

? & The Mysterians had the best-selling song on Oct. 22, 1966, with “96 Tears.” … Dion DiMucci continued his streak of hits after leaving The Belmonts when “Runaround Sue” went to No. 1 on Oct. 23, 1961. … Georgia’s Brenda Lee reached the top spot with “I Want To Be Wanted” on Oct. 24, 1960. It was her fourth Top 10 hit of the year. That same day, Frank Sinatra had the No. 1 LP with “Nice ‘n’ Easy.” It spent nine weeks at the top of the charts.

Barry Levine is an entertainment writer for The Albany Herald. He can be reached at [email protected].