Otis Redding Estate and Sony Music Publishing Announce New Partnership

The Estate of Otis Redding, doing business as Big O Holdings LLC, has announced a new partnership with Sony Music Publishing.

Under the new deal, Sony Music will administer publishing in the U.S. for Redding’s music catalog, which includes hits like “These Arms of Mine,” “Respect,” “Try A Little Tenderness,” and “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay,” to name a few.

“For over 50 years, I have been diligent to make sure Otis’ legacy remains relevant and recognizable around the world. I feel that the Sony Music Publishing team can assist my family in this never-ending effort”, says Zelma Redding, widow of Redding. 

Jon Platt, chairman and CEO of Sony Music Publishing, adds, “As one of the most significant songwriters of our lifetime, Otis Redding remains an American treasure. Otis’ songs have shaped the cultural landscape across genres and generations, and it is a privilege to partner with the Redding family as stateside custodians of this singular music catalog.”

Brian Monaco, Sony Music Publishing’s president and global chief marketing officer, notes, “Otis Redding was a rare talent – his songs are unmistakably brilliant, and their enduring impact remains strong to this day. We are honored to join forces with the Redding family to represent his catalog and strengthen his legacy as one of the most iconic songwriters in American history.”

Affectionately known as the King of Soul, Redding’s discography traces back to 1964 when the singer/songwriter released his debut album, Pain in My Heart, via Atco Records. The album included the lead single, “These Arms of Mine,” a self-penned song Redding recorded at the end of a session at Stax Records in 1962. (The song later appeared in the 1987 film Dirty Dancing). 

Redding, who performed with Johnny Jenkins and the Pinetoppers, drove Jenkins to Stax in Memphis, Tennessee, for a recording session that summer. After Jenkins finished the session early, Stax co-owner Jim Stewart allowed Redding to cut a few songs during the remaining time, which is how “These Arms of Mine” and the B-side “Hey Hey Baby” were born.

In 1965, Redding released two studio albums, The Great Otis Redding Sings Soul Ballads and Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul. The latter project included “Respect,” later covered by Aretha Franklin, which peaked at No. 35 on Billboard Hot 100.  

Redding released three more albums before his untimely death in December 1967: The Soul Album, Dictionary of Soul, and King & Queen (with Carla Thomas). Redding tragically died in a plane crash at age 26. 

Redding’s first posthumous album, The Dock of the Bay, was released in February 1968. It included “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay,” which spent four weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The song also scored Redding two Grammy Awards: Best Male R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song. “Dock of the Bay” was Redding’s final recording.

Last year, Rhino Records reissued all four of Redding’s posthumous albums in a box set, Otis Forever: The Albums & Singles (1968-1970). 

The box set consisted of The Dock of the Bay (1968), The Immortal Otis Redding (1968), Love Man (1969), and Tell The Truth (1970). Additionally, the set included mono versions of 24 singles from those albums.

Redding is featured in HBO’s Stax Records documentary, STAX: Soulville U.S.A., now streaming on Max

Stream Stax Records Presents: Otis Redding below.