Otis Redding’s performance at the Monterey Pop Festival on June 17, 1967 was the stuff legends are made of. He was the last act to go on that day joined by Booker T and The MG’s and capped off an amazing day of music that already had its share of memorable moments from bands including Jefferson Airplane, Big Brother & The Holding Company, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Canned Heat, The Byrds and others.

Joel Selvin in his book writes: “Tommy Smothers introduced Otis saying, “It’s been a real groovy day and a great evening, and here, let’s bring out with a big hand, Mr. Otis Redding.” Otis began their set with Sam Cooke’s “Shake.” Their set, a blast of pure adrenaline stopped the crowd in the aisles.”

The bands who were there were also pretty impressed with his incendiary performance. Bob Weir said: “I was pretty sure that I’d just seen God onstange. Otis looked to be 12 or 14 feet tall, stalking the lip of the stage like a caged tiger, just shooting lightning and sparks. He was amazing!” And Grace Slick said of Redding’s performance — “I’d never seen anybody take over a stage like that. It was just incredible the way he moved and just took over the stage. He was as big as that whole stage -– I’m talking about personality and power.”