Jack Johnson, Aloe Blacc, Corinne Bailey Rae & more celebrate 50 Years of “Dock of the Bay”

17 Dec Jack Johnson, Aloe Blacc, Corinne Bailey Rae & more celebrate 50 Years of “Dock of the Bay”

The Estate of Otis Redding partnered with Princess Cruises and Playing For Change For The Video

Featured Artists Include Jack Johnson, Corinne Bailey Rae, Aloe Blacc, Dexter and Otis Redding III, and more

LOS ANGELES – Princess Cruises, Playing For Change, and the Estate of Otis Redding have teamed up to produce a new video to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of Otis’ iconic hit “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay.” The newest addition to PlayingFor Change’s “Songs Around The World” series, the all-star track features JackJohnson, Corinne Bailey Rae, Aloe Blacc, Dexter and Otis Redding III, JamesGadson, Louis Mhlanga, the students from the Otis Redding Foundation MusicCamp, Claire Finley, Irie Love, Mar Sanchez, and the Rass Brass Extension.

Proceeds from the video,which will be available on YouTube and screened on board Princess Cruises’ fleet of cruise ships for a limited time, will benefit the Otis Redding Foundation and the Playing For Change Foundation. Both organizations support youth empowerment through music education.

“We are so thrilled toget 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 liner,” 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 Cruise 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 6^th most played track of the 20^th 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 Hot100 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) TheDock of the Bay” is one of the most requested songs by guests enjoying their vacation on board 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 video will be released on the Playing For Change YouTube Channel at 12 p.m. PST on Monday, December 17. Fans can visit www.youtube.com/playingforchange to subscribe prior to the premiere.

The release caps off a banner year for the song and for Otis Redding. The 50^th 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.