Soul singer Otis Redding and his only wife Zelma Atwood had an excellent relationship, and even years after his death, she still recalls the moments they shared.
Zelma Atwood and Otis Redding met when they were both teenagers attending an event at the Douglass Theatre in Macon, Georgia.
The two did not begin their relationship immediately but lounged into an argument that soon developed over the year. Although Zelma did not find him flattering at first, the pair often ran into each other and became friends.
Portrait of the late Otis Redding. Circa 1960 | Photo: Getty Images
At the time, Otis was 18 years and far from being the music legend he is now, while Zelma was 16 going on 17. Their relationship was born out of genuine friendship and had nothing to with his talent as a singer/songwriter.
After years of friendship, Otis and Zelma began dating, and In 1961, the couple tied the knot in Macon, Georgia. At the time of their marriage, Otis was starting to gain critical acclaim and success as a singer and songwriter.
Otis Redding's wife, Zelma Atwood at the Billboard R & B / Hip Hop Conference. | Photo: Getty Images
Throughout their marriage, Otis and Zelma often made sure that they communicated with each other irrespective of the distance. According to Zelma, times when he was away, Otis always looked for means to contact her and check up on her.
As their marriage blossomed, the couple welcomed three kids: Dexter, Karen, and Otis III. Zelma also adopted a daughter, Demetria, after Otis passed away.
Zelma felt some of Redding's songs were about her.
Their blossoming relationship was soon shattered when Otis was involved in a plane crash that took the life of almost everyone on board except a bandmate who managed to survive.
His death was devastating to the young family, and Zelma tried her best to keep Otis' legacy and raise their kids irrespective of the barriers that were in her way.
She had to fight off con artists and refulgent people who wanted to lay claim to some of Otis' work, and although she was able to win some of these battles, she lost some other ones.
While Otis might be gone, Zelma often takes comfort in the songs that he left behind. She expressed that listening to the songs helped her reminisce over the good times they shared and how well-grounded their relationship was. She even mentioned that sometimes, she felt some of his songs were about her.
Although Otis might have died untimely, the memories he and Zelma shared would forever remain in her memories and be cherished for as long as she lives.
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