Stax Records “Soulville USA” | Memphis, TN

Known as the home of Memphis Soul or southern soul, Stax Records released some of the most influential recordings of the 1960’s, including such hits as “Soul Man,” “Respect”, and “(Sittin’ on) the Dock of the Bay” among many others. Although its stable of music artists consisted almost entirely of African Americans, the label was also home to several popular ethnically-integrated bands, including the label’s house band, Booker T. & the MG’s. Otis Redding, Sam and Dave, Carla Thomas, William Bell, Johnnie Taylor, the Staple Singers, and Isaac Hayes are just a few of the artists who called Stax home. Recent perfomers who have recorded for the label include Angie Stone and Lela Hathaway.

For more information on the history and music of Stax Records, be sure to visit the label’s official 50th anniversary website.

Stax Records studio session: From left, the musicians Sam Moore, Isaac Hayes, Andrew Love, Wayne Jackson, Dave Prater, Jim Stewart and Steve Cropper, around 1970.