Sony Music Publishing has entered into an agreement with Otis Redding's estate, now operating as Big O Holdings, to manage the late soul legend's songs in the United States. The singer's widow, Zelma Readingsaid SMP was the right partner to help in their “endless effort” to keep Redding's heritage “recognizable around the world.”
Redding composed or co-wrote many of the songs easily associated with him, including “Respect,” which later became an Aretha Franklin signature, “Mr. Pitiful,” “I Can't Turn You Loose,” “Hard to Handle', eventually adopted by the Black Crowes, and 'These Arms of Mine', later appeared on Dirty dancing. He also co-wrote, with fellow future Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Jerry Butler, the searingly emotional ballad “I've Been Loving You Too Long,” which soared to No. 2 on the R&B chart in 1965.
Redding's ethereal and timeless '(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay', co-written with MG guitarist (and future Blues Brother) Steve Cropper, was released in early 1968, a month after his tragic death singer on a plane. crash on December 10, 1967. “Dock of the Bay” whistled its way to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 in March 1968, the singer's first visit to the chart's top 20.
“As one of the most influential songwriters of our lifetime, Otis Redding remains an American treasure,” commented the president/CEO of Sony Music Publishing. John Platt. “Otis' songs have shaped the cultural landscape across genres and generations, and it is a privilege to work with the Redding family as state custodians of this unique musical catalog.”
The Georgia native was also a master interpreter, turning the old standard “Try a Little Tenderness” into a smash hit in 1966 and putting his own spin on classics made famous by other soul icons like “Stand By Me” (Ben E. King) and “My Girl” (Sam Cooke). His version of the Rolling Stones' “(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction,” which he and backing band Booker T. & the MG performed at the Monterey Pop festival, was legendary for how off-kilter it was (“I can't get me no…”) from the original.In his last album before his death, a two-hander with his colleagues of all years Carla Thomas titled King queenRedding scored hits with the raucous “Tramp” and “Knock on Wood”.
Redding released six studio albums between 1964 and 1967, mostly through Stax sister label Volt. He was posthumously inducted into the Rock Hall of Fame in 1989 and the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1994.
“Otis Redding was a rare talent – his songs are undeniably brilliant and their lasting impact remains strong to this day,” said SMP president and global chief marketing officer. Brian Monaco. “We are honored to join forces with the Redding family to represent his catalog and enhance his legacy as one of the most iconic songwriters in American history.”
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/business/publishing/otis-redding-sony-music-publishing-administer-catalog-us-1235688617/