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 companies in the country – from top management and administration to its artists. With more than 200 employees, it was the fifth-largest African-American owned business in the United States during its time, and was the most successful record label ever to come out of Memphis, Tennessee.
While Stax Records was an oasis of racial harmony, and the color of one’s skin was not an issue, Stax gave back to its African-American music-buying public in many ways. It utilized its marketing budget to help keep publications like Jet and Black Enterprise operating. Stax financed free benefit concerts with its artists, helped raise money for the needy during the holidays, participated in and helped publicize the federal government “Stay in School” program.
Stax Records became one of the first record labels in the country to evolve into a multi-media company. It invested in and produced movies, such as the acclaimed Wattstax documentary, filmed during the time of the Wattstax concert it produced in Los Angeles in 1972 to raise funds for charities in the Watts community in the wake of the Watts rebellion. The film was the 1973 opener at the Canne Film Festival, was nominated for a Golden Globe Award, and is now in the Sundance Film Festival Collection. Stax was also involved with Broadway plays and soundtrack albums, and was a major force in opening the doors to minorities in Hollywood.
So for the rest of the week, enjoy the music of Stax Records and more interesting tidbits about the history of Soulsville USA!
Otis Redding – Try A Little Tenderness
Sam & Dave – When Something Is Wrong With My Baby
Wilson Pickett – In The Midnight Hour
Atlantic Records and Stax Records had more than just a distribution relationship during the late 60s, the talented producers for Stax frequently produced some of Atlantic’s biggest hits at the time, including those for the Queen of Soul (including all those from yesterday).
Aretha Franklin – Since You Been Gone