Stax Records, one of the most influential soul labels in music history, was born in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1957. Originally founded as Satellite Records by siblings Jim Stewart and Estelle Axton, the label would soon redefine the sound of Southern soul. Stewart, a white country music enthusiast and amateur fiddle player, had little experience in R&B or soul when he started recording in his garage. His sister, Estelle Axton, a schoolteacher, mortgaged her home to invest in the business, a decision that changed music history.
In 1959, they moved the label into an old movie theater on McLemore Avenue, which would become the legendary Stax studio. The new space offered a unique sound due to its sloped floors and cavernous interior, contributing to the warm, raw tone that would define the label’s recordings. In 1961, due to a legal conflict with another label called Satellite, they rebranded as Stax—a combination of Stewart and Axton’s last names.
That same year, Stax struck gold with its first major hit, “Gee Whiz (Look at His Eyes)” by Carla Thomas, launching the label into the national spotlight.
During the 1960s, Stax Records became synonymous with deep, gritty Southern soul, a sound distinct from the polished productions of Motown. Unlike the assembly-line model of Berry Gordy’s label, Stax fostered a more organic approach, with musicians playing together live in the studio, feeding off each other’s energy. The house band, Booker T. & the M.G.’s, an integrated group in a deeply segregated city, crafted the tight, groove-heavy sound that defined Stax. In 1962, the label released “Green Onions,” a groundbreaking instrumental hit that showcased their signature style.
Stax soon became home to some of the greatest soul artists of all time: Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Wilson Pickett (through a deal with Atlantic), Isaac Hayes, and The Staple Singers, among others. The label’s golden era was cemented with classics like Redding’s “Try a Little Tenderness” (1966), Sam & Dave’s “Soul Man” (1967), and Otis Redding’s posthumous anthem “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” (1968). The assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. in Memphis on April 4, 1968, deeply impacted the label and its artists, intensifying their commitment to creating music that reflected the struggles and triumphs of Black America.
Despite its artistic success, Stax suffered a devastating blow in 1968 when Atlantic Records, their distribution partner, was sold to Warner Bros. Stax’s handshake agreement with Atlantic, made years earlier, had failed to secure ownership of their own master recordings. As a result, Atlantic walked away with the majority of Stax’s catalog, stripping the label of much of its financial foundation. Jim Stewart later admitted, “I signed a deal that I didn’t understand, and it cost us everything.”
The loss of Otis Redding in a plane crash in 1967 had already rocked the label, but this financial betrayal left it scrambling. Stax managed to stay afloat by finding new distribution through Gulf & Western, and under the leadership of African American businessman Al Bell, the label shifted to a more commercial, crossover-friendly sound. However, tensions within the company, increasing financial struggles, and changing musical tastes made this a turbulent period.
Against all odds, Stax experienced a dramatic resurgence in the early 1970s. Under Al Bell’s direction, the label diversified its sound, embracing funk, gospel, and even politically charged music. Isaac Hayes, who had been a behind-the-scenes songwriter and producer, became a star in his own right with Hot Buttered Soul (1969), a groundbreaking album that broke away from the traditional three-minute soul single, featuring lush orchestration and lengthy, immersive tracks.
The label also signed The Staple Singers, who delivered hits like “Respect Yourself” (1971) and “I’ll Take You There” (1972), further expanding Stax’s reach. Perhaps the most defining moment of this second era was Wattstax (1972), a massive concert in Los Angeles’ Watts neighborhood that celebrated Black pride and resilience. Dubbed the “Black Woodstock,” it showcased the depth of Stax’s talent and solidified the label’s cultural significance. However, despite this creative rebirth, financial instability loomed in the background.
By the mid-1970s, Stax was in deep financial trouble. The ambitious expansion under Al Bell, combined with mounting debt, led to serious cash flow issues. In 1975, the label’s distribution deal with CBS Records collapsed when the major label refused to fully promote Stax’s releases, crippling their revenue stream. A lawsuit with Union Planters Bank over unpaid loans was the final nail in the coffin. On December 19, 1975, the label was officially shut down, its assets liquidated. The once-thriving McLemore Avenue studio was padlocked, marking the end of an era. Though several attempts were made to revive the brand, Stax never returned to its former glory as an independent powerhouse.
Despite its tragic end, Stax Records remains one of the most important labels in Black music history. It was more than just a record company—it was a cultural institution that gave voice to the struggles, joys, and triumphs of Black America. Stax’s music defined the sound of the Civil Rights Movement and provided a platform for artists to express the depth of their experiences. The label’s influence can still be heard today in hip-hop, neo-soul, and modern R&B, with artists like Prince, D’Angelo, and Anderson .Paak drawing inspiration from its raw, emotional sound.
In 2003, the Stax Museum of American Soul Music opened in Memphis, preserving the label’s legacy for future generations. While Stax may no longer be an active force in the industry, its soul lives on in every groove, every horn stab, and every heartfelt lyric that continues to move audiences worldwide.
Here are 20 of their most impactful releases:
1. “Green Onions” – Booker T. & the M.G.’s (1962): This instrumental track became an iconic piece of the 1960s, showcasing the tight, soulful sound of Stax’s house band.
2. “Walking the Dog” – Rufus Thomas (1963): A danceable hit that blended R&B with funk, highlighting Thomas’s playful vocal style.
3. “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long” – Otis Redding (1965): A soulful ballad that became one of Redding’s signature songs, exemplifying his emotive delivery.
4. “Hold On, I’m Comin’” – Sam & Dave (1966): A high-energy track that became a soul anthem, featuring the dynamic duo’s powerful vocals.
5. “Knock on Wood” – Eddie Floyd (1966): A song that seamlessly blended soul and R&B, becoming one of Floyd’s biggest hits.
6. “Born Under a Bad Sign” – Albert King (1967): This blues classic showcased King’s guitar prowess and became a standard for blues musicians.
7. “Soul Man” – Sam & Dave (1967): An enduring soul classic that earned the duo a Grammy Award and solidified their place in music history.
8. “Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” – Otis Redding (1968): Released posthumously, this song became Redding’s biggest hit, blending soul with folk influences.
9. “Who’s Making Love” – Johnnie Taylor (1968): A track that combined gospel-infused vocals with a funky rhythm, leading to commercial success.
10. “Time Is Tight” – Booker T. & the M.G.’s (1969): An instrumental piece that showcased the band’s versatility and became a chart-topping hit.
11. Hot Buttered Soul – Isaac Hayes (1969): This album broke conventions with its lengthy tracks and lush arrangements, redefining soul music.
12. “Mr. Big Stuff” – Jean Knight (1971): A funky track that became one of Stax’s best-selling singles, known for its catchy hook.
13. Shaft – Isaac Hayes (1971): The soundtrack album, featuring the iconic “Theme from Shaft,” earned Hayes an Academy Award and became a defining work of the blaxploitation era.
14. Be Altitude: Respect Yourself – The Staple Singers (1972): This album featured hits like “Respect Yourself” and “I’ll Take You There,” blending gospel with soul and funk.
15. “I’ll Take You There” – The Staple Singers (1972): A feel-good track that became a crossover hit, showcasing the group’s gospel roots infused with a funky groove.
16. “In the Rain” – The Dramatics (1972): A smooth soul ballad that became one of the group’s most successful hits.
17. Black Moses – Isaac Hayes (1971): This double album showcased Hayes’s innovative arrangements and deep baritone voice, further cementing his status as a soul icon.
18. “Cheaper to Keep Her” – Johnnie Taylor (1973): A witty take on marital economics, this song became a significant hit for Taylor.
19. “Theme from Shaft” – Isaac Hayes (1971): An iconic track that blended funk and soul, earning Hayes an Academy Award for Best Original Song.
20. Radio City – Big Star (1974): Although not commercially successful at the time, this album later gained critical acclaim and influenced numerous alternative rock artists.
Stax Records was home to some of the most influential artists, musicians, and singers in soul, R&B, and blues history. Here are 20 of the most important figures who contributed to the label’s legacy:
Singers & Vocal Groups
1. Otis Redding – The King of Soul, known for “Try a Little Tenderness”, ”(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay”.
2. Sam & Dave – The dynamic duo behind “Soul Man”, “Hold On, I’m Comin’”.
3. Isaac Hayes – Revolutionary artist behind Hot Buttered Soul and the Shaft soundtrack.
4. Carla Thomas – The “Queen of Memphis Soul,” known for “Gee Whiz”.
5. Rufus Thomas – Father of Carla Thomas, known for “Walking the Dog”, “Do the Funky Chicken”.
6. The Staple Singers – Gospel-soul legends behind “I’ll Take You There”, “Respect Yourself”.
7. Johnnie Taylor – Smooth-voiced soul singer, known for “Who’s Making Love”, “Cheaper to Keep Her”.
8. Eddie Floyd – Best known for “Knock on Wood”, a Stax anthem.
9. William Bell – A key voice behind “You Don’t Miss Your Water”.
10. The Dramatics – R&B vocal group famous for “In the Rain”, “Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get”.
11. Jean Knight – Funky powerhouse behind “Mr. Big Stuff”.
12. Mable John – The first female solo artist signed to Stax, known for “Your Good Thing (Is About to End)”.
Musicians & Producers
13. Booker T. Jones – Leader of Booker T. & the M.G.’s, the house band behind “Green Onions”.
14. Steve Cropper – Guitarist of Booker T. & the M.G.’s, co-wrote “Dock of the Bay”, “In the Midnight Hour”.
15. Donald “Duck” Dunn – Legendary bassist for Booker T. & the M.G.’s.
16. Al Jackson Jr. – Drummer for Booker T. & the M.G.‘s, a key figure in Stax’s sound.
17. Wayne Jackson – Trumpeter of The Memphis Horns, crucial to Stax’s signature sound.
18. Andrew Love – Saxophonist of The Memphis Horns, defining Stax’s brass-driven sound.
19. Albert King – One of the greatest blues guitarists, known for “Born Under a Bad Sign”.
20. Big Star – Power pop pioneers, signed to Stax’s subsidiary, Ardent Records.
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