Otis Redding’s widow and business manager are suing an Atlanta author over a biography he wrote about the soul music legend. Zelma Redding and Phil Walden are suing former reporter Scott Freeman, author of “Otis! The Otis Redding Story.”
Their suit alleges Freeman used unreliable sources to imply Walden was a member of the mob who plotted to kill Redding for insurance money. The suit also disputes Freeman’s claim that Redding was having extramarital affairs and planned to divorce his wife.
Freeman did not interview those closest to Redding for the book, but the suit acknowledges they denied his multiple requests. The suit also says the book interferes with a potential movie Zelma Redding and Walden are trying to make.
Freeman has been asked by his publisher not to comment on the case, but has said he does not believe the book is libelous. When asked what Zelma Redding and Walden have to gain from the suit, their lawyer, Bobby Lee Cook, said, “A hell of a lot of money. You can quote me on that.”
Redding died in an April 1967 plane crash at the age of 26.
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