The screening will be followed by a panel discussion with Zelma Redding (Otis' widow), Wayne Jackson of the Mar-Keys, Grammy Award-winning Stax historian Rob Bowman and the documentary's directors David Peck and Phil Galloway.
Tickets for the premiere cost $10 for the general public, $8 students and seniors, $7 American Cinematheque members and are available through the festival website (see link below) or at the theater box office in advance or at door.
The screening coincides with three notable events relating to Otis Redding. It heralds the release of Dreams To Remember: The Life Of Otis Redding as a DVD on the reactivated Stax label. It takes place as Stax Records marks its 50th anniversary. And it serves to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Redding's tragically early death on December 10, 1967.
Produced by Reelin' In The Years, Dreams To Remember: The Legacy Of Otis Redding features a wealth of staggering complete performances filmed throughout America and Europe, beginning with Otis singing one of his earliest hits, “Pain In My Heart," and progressing through the artist's Stax/Volt career. Included are complete performances of “I Can't Turn You Loose," “I've Been Loving You Too Long," “(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" and a host of others; “Try A Little Tenderness" and “Respect" were taped at a local Cleveland television show less than 24 hours before Otis' death.
The film also contains in-depth interviews with those who helped Otis write and create his incredible music: Steve Cropper, who co-wrote with Otis and played guitar on virtually every record he made at Stax; Wayne Jackson, the trumpet player for the Mar-Keys/ Memphis Horns who also played on most of Otis' recordings, and Jim Stewart, the founder of Stax Records, who gave his first interview in 13 years for this film. And there are stirring reminiscences from Otis' wife Zelma and daughter Karla. These tender and insightful interviews paint a portrait of an amazing singer, artist, songwriter, and family man. The saga begins with memories of his first amateur talent contests and concludes with the touching recollections of the final days leading up to the tragic plane crash on December 10, 1967. In between are stories about Otis writing songs, recording at Stax and performing on stage (including the historic Monterey International Pop Festival).
For Dreams To Remember: The Legacy Of Otis Redding, every effort has been made to locate the best possible sound and video; each of the performances has been re- transferred and re-mastered from the best-quality, original masters (some resting in the television vaults for more than 40 years). In the case of lip-sync performances, the original Stax master recordings have been used, replacing the original TV broadcast audio and making for a much more enjoyable viewing and listening experience.
Following the premiere of Dreams to Remember and the Otis Redding panel discussion will be a screening of the recently discovered Stax/Volt Revue Live in Norway, 1967, featuring legendary live footage of classic Stax stars including Redding, Sam & Dave, Booker T & the MGs, Eddie Floyd, Arthur Conley and the Mar-Keys.
Martin Lewis, Co-Founder/Producer/Host of the Mods & Rockers Film festival: “Otis Redding was a towering talent in the music world whose achievements in just six short years continue to inspire. He was also a pioneer in breaking down racial barriers. I am thrilled that we are saluting him and his legacy with a World Premiere at this special season of the Mods & Rocker Film Festival. It's also a personal thrill as I still recall the exhilaration of seeing Otis perform live in London in April 1967 -- a memory I always cherish."
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