On August 20, 1972, the Stax label presented a major concert, Wattstax, featured performances by Stax recording artists and humor from rising young comedian Richard Pryor. Known as the "Black Woodstock," Wattstax was hosted by Reverend Jesse Jackson and drew a crowd of over 100,000 people, most of them African-American. Wattstax was filmed by motion picture director Mel Stuart … [Read more...] about Thursday Afternoon Thread: Soulsville USA – Stax Records
Volt Records
Wednesday Afternoon Thread: Soulsville USA – Stax Records
In the winter of 1967, Otis Redding again recorded at Stax. One new song was written while on a houseboat in Sausalito. Redding was inspired by the Beatles album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band and tried to create a similar sound against the label's wishes. His wife Zelma disliked its atypical melody. The Stax crew were also dissatisfied with the new sound; Stewart … [Read more...] about Wednesday Afternoon Thread: Soulsville USA – Stax Records
Tuesday Afternoon Thread: Soulsville USA – Stax Records
Stax Records (and subsidiary Volt) were the southern soul standard bearers. Based in Memphis, TN, the record company was the main rival to Motown during its heyday. Stax Records was more than just a label. It was a culture. While segregation was fervently supported in the South during Stax's formative years in the 1960s, Stax was one of the most successfully integrated … [Read more...] about Tuesday Afternoon Thread: Soulsville USA – Stax Records