Stax Records
Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee
Marker Inscription
Stax Recording Studios. On this site stood Stax Records Inc. which boasted such stars as Otis Redding, Rufus and Carla Thomas, Isaac Hayes, the Staple Singers, Albert King, the Bar-Keys and many others. It relied upon its deep soul roots to carry it through, struggling from a back-street garage in 1957 to become a multi-million-dollar organization.
The Story
On this Memphis site stood Stax Records, launched in a repurposed neighborhood movie theater in 1957 and grown into one of American music's great soul labels. Its house sound backed Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, the Staple Singers, Albert King, and Rufus and Carla Thomas, among many others. From a back-street garage, its deep Southern soul roots carried it to national prominence.
Why it matters
Stax gave Southern soul music a global stage and stands as a landmark of African American cultural achievement.
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Related people
- · Otis Redding
- · Isaac Hayes
- · Carla Thomas
Themes & tags
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