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The Soul Of Stax

Tony Blackburn explores the music of soul music label, Stax.

Welcome to the second in a short series of programmes where we look at the music of four of the most influential soul music labels of the twentieth century. Memphis based Stax records first made its appearance in the UK in 1961 when Decca’s London label issued the Carla Thomas single, 'Gee Whiz'. The London label was Decca’s outlet for recordings for a multitude of small American labels, but only the earlier releases gave reference to any of the releases from Stax or its subsidiary labels, Volt and Satellite. It wasn’t until 1967 that Stax was given its own imprint through Atlantic having had its releases issued by them since 1964 when Decca gave Atlantic its own identity. Over the years, the heydays of Stax saw distribution through EMI, Polydor and Pye. Their star signing was Otis Redding and his death was a big blow to the label, and while it certainly had an impact on their demise in the '70s, there were other factors as well, including bad financial mismanagement and a change in musical tastes.

57 minutes

Last on

Wed 27 Sep 2023 02:00

Music Played

  • The Astors

    Candy

    • Stax 50th Anniversary Celebration.
    • Universal.
  • The Bar-Kays

    Soul Finger

    • Where It's At (Various Artists).
    • Kent.
  • William Bell

    A Tribute To A King

    • The Very Best Of.
    • Stax.
  • Booker T. & The M.G.'s

    Soul Limbo

    • Cafe Latino (Various Artists).
    • Telstar.
  • Judy Clay & William Bell

    Private Number

    • Heartbeat: Love Me Tender (Various).
    • Global Television.
  • Eddie Floyd

    Things Get Better

    • The Best Of.
    • Stax.
  • Isaac Hayes

    Theme From Shaft

    • Shades Of Soul (Various Artists).
    • Global Television.
  • Ruby Johnson

    I'll Run Your Hurt Away

    • I'll Run Your Hurt Away.
    • Stax.
  • Albert King & Booker T. & The M.G.'s

    Born Under A Bad Sign

    • The Blues Album (Various Artists).
    • Virgin.
  • Jean Knight

    Mr Big Stuff

    • Stax Greatest Hits (Various Artists).
    • Stax.
  • Linda Lyndell

    Bring Your Love Back To Me

    • The Complete Stax-Volt Singles 1959-1968.
    • Atlantic.
  • The Mad Lads

    Don't Have To Shop Around

    • The Complete Stax-Volt Singles 1959-1968.
    • Atlantic.
  • Ollie & The Nightingales

    I Got A Sure Thing

    • Stax 50th Anniversary Celebration.
    • Universal Music Group.
  • Otis Redding

    (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay

    • Soul (Various Artists).
    • Polygram Tv.
  • Otis Redding & Carla Thomas

    Tramp

    • Atlantic Soul (Various Artists).
    • Warner E.S.P..
  • Sam & Dave

    Soul Man

    • Shades Of Soul (Various Artists).
    • Global Television.
  • Sir Mack Rice

    Mini-Skirt Minnie

    • Stax/Volt - The Complete Singles Vol 7: 1966-1967.
    • Atlantic.
  • The Staple Singers

    I'll Take You There

    • Afrodisiac (Various Artists).
    • Universal Music Tv.
  • Johnnie Taylor

    Who's Making Love

    • Stax Profiles - Johnnie Taylor.
    • Stax.
    • 9.
  • Carla Thomas

    Gee Whiz

    • Where It's At (Various Artists).
    • Kent.
  • Rufus Thomas

    Walking The Dog

    • Atlantic Gold (Various Artists).
    • Warner Strategic Marketing.

Broadcasts

  • Tue 17 Dec 2013 22:00
  • Wed 27 Sep 2023 02:00