Princess Cruises, Playing for Change, and the Estate of Otis Redding have teamed up to produce a new video to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Otis’ iconic hit “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” filmed in port cities around the world visited by Princess Cruises – San Francisco, Los Angeles, Ft. Lauderdale, Hawaii, Jamaica and Barcelona.
The newest addition to Playing For Change’s “Songs Around The World” series, features an all-star track including Jack Johnson, Corinne Bailey Rae, Aloe Blacc, Dexter and Otis Redding III, James Gadson, Louis Mhlanga, the students from the Otis Redding Foundation Music Camp, Claire Finley, Irie Love, Mar Sanchez, and the Rass Brass Extension.
Proceeds from the video, which will be available on YouTube and screened onboard Princess Cruises’ fleet of cruise ships will benefit the Otis Redding Foundation and the Playing For Change Foundation. Both organizations support youth empowerment through music education. From December 17th to March 31st, Princess Cruises guests and viewers can donate onboard Princess ships or at www.princess.com/DockOfTheBay. Princess Community Foundation will match donations up to $25,000.
“We are so thrilled to get to share the fruits of this partnership with the world,” says Zelma Redding, president of the Otis Redding Foundation, and widow of Otis Redding. "This was a wonderful way to celebrate 50 years of “(Sittin’ On The) Dock Of The Bay,” and certainly an appropriate and heart-warming way to honor and remember the legacy of my husband."
“This was also an incredible opportunity for our students to travel and experience what it is like to work in this aspect of the music industry and explore the inner workings of a world-class cruise ship,” added Karla Redding-Andrews, vice president and executive director of the Otis Redding-Foundation, and daughter of Otis Redding. “I am also excited to have the work of the Otis Redding Foundation get new exposure with the Playing For Change audience and Princess Cruises guests, and I hope that our mission of empowering, enriching, and motivating all young people through programs involving music, writing and instrumentation will resonate with all our new fans!”
“(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” was the 6th most played track of the 20th century. It is, without a doubt, one of the most beloved songs of all time, streamed over 200 million times. It was the first song in pop music history to reach #1 posthumously on the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B charts.
“It’s the honor of our lives to collaborate with the Otis Redding Foundation to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of ‘(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay.’ This song has no boundaries and lives forever in the hearts and souls of everyone who listens,” says Mark Johnson, co-founder of Playing For Change and the director of the video.
“(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” is one of the most requested songs by guests enjoying their vacation onboard Princess Cruises. This video celebrates music around the world and the inspirational power of our oceans — ideals that are important to us," said Gordon Ho, Princess Cruises Chief Marketing Officer. “We’re especially delighted to support music education for youths, some of whom may perform one day on Princess ships.”
The release caps off a banner year for the song and for Otis Redding. The 50th Anniversary celebration launched in January with a celebrity-filled tribute show at the Apollo Theater during Grammy Week. The day and date of the release was commemorated with a limited-edition gold 7" vinyl release of the original single. It continued with the release of the Dock of the Bay Sessions, promoted by Rhino Entertainment, in May. Special, limited-edition 50th anniversary merchandise was released throughout the year. The release of the “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” Song Around The World is the last gift closing out a monumental year recognizing the illustrious hit.
