Redding who wrote the song “Respect”

OTIS

["This soul legend was known as the \"King of Soul\" and had a signature song that became an anthem for the civil rights movement. His first name is also a type of elevator."]

This clue is asking for the last name of the soul singer who originally wrote and recorded "Respect," which later became a huge hit for Aretha Franklin. Otis Redding penned the song in 1965, so the answer is simply his first name, "OTIS," as crossword answers often use first names for well-known figures. The clue relies on recognizing Redding’s contribution to music history rather than any wordplay.