Stax Records is an American record label, originally based in Memphis, Tennessee. Founded in 1957 as Satellite Records, the label changed its name to Stax Records in 1961 and shared its operations with Volt Records, a sister label created to avoid the impression of favoritism among radio stations playing their records.
Stax was influential in the creation of Southern soul and Memphis soul music. Stax also released gospel, funk, and blues recordings. It featured several popular ethnically integrated bands (including the label's house band, Booker T & The MGs) and a racially integrated team of staff and artists unprecedented in that time of racial strife and tension in Memphis and the South.
Following the death of Stax's biggest star, Otis Redding, in 1967, and the severance of the label's distribution deal with Atlantic Records in 1968, Stax continued primarily under the supervision of a new co-owner, Al Bell. By the early 1980s, no new material was being issued on the label, and for the next two decades, Stax was strictly a reissue label.
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Links to Peel[]
Ole Man Trouble - Otis Redding
J Taylor I've been born again
Mel & Tim Starting All Over Again (1972)
Although Peel was already a fan of Stax superstar Otis Redding when the DJ returned to the UK from America in early 1967, soul music wasn’t a feature of his early British radio shows, other than during his daytime appearances on pirate Radio London, which focused on chart material. This only really changed in the following decade, when he started to give Stax and other soul artists regular airtime on his late-night Sounds Of The Seventies shows, something he continued for the rest of his career on Radio One.
On 29 August 1979 and 30 August 1979, the 40 records he played listeners to celebrate his own 40th birthday included “I've Been Born Again” by Johnnie Taylor and “Starting All Over Again” by Mel & Tim, both on Stax. In 1999, the latter was among four tracks chosen by the DJ for his Peelenium 1972, following the selection of songs by Otis Redding as highlights of 1965 and 1966. Both 40th birthday records were later found among the 142 treasured singles in John Peel's Record Box, alongside a third Stax 45, from Sam & Dave (a cover version of which was a hit for Elvis Costello).
With the glory days of the label in the past, the assorted various artist (v/a) compilations played by Peel of vintage Stax material included the 9-CD box set “The Complete Stax-Volt Singles 1959-1968”, released on Atlantic, which he featured extensively in his shows for around 18 months from mid-1991.
Peelenium[]
- Peelenium 1965: Otis Redding: Ole Man Trouble
- Peelenium 1966: Otis Redding: Try A Little Tenderness
- Peelenium 1972: Mel & Tim: Starting All Over Again
John Peel’s Record Box[]
- Johnnie Taylor: “I've Been Born Again / At Night Time”
- Mel & Tim: “Starting All Over Again / It Hurts To Want It So Bad”
- Sam & Dave: “I Can't Stand Up for Falling Down / Soothe Me (live)”
Compilations[]
(The following list features only tracks played by Peel from various artist (v/a) releases on Stax, or related releases on other labels, where indicated. Plays listed by release, in order of first play. Please add more information if known.)
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- 1980s
(2xLP - Soul Is Here To Stay)
- 17 August 1987: Dramatics: In The Rain
(LP - Stax Sirens & Volt Vamps)
- 23 August 1988: Sweet Inspirations: Try A Little Tenderness
- 06 September 1988: Mable John: Shouldn't I Love Him
- 1990s
(9xCD box set - The Complete Stax-Volt Singles 1959-1968) Atlantic
- 22 June 1991: Mar-Keys: Last Night
- 23 June 1991: Veltones: Fool In Love
- 30 November 1991: Booker T & The MGs: Behave Yourself
- 01 December 1991: Otis Redding: These Arms Of Mine
- 08 December 1991: Booker T & The MGs: Jelly Bread
- 15 December 1991: Mar-Keys: Bo Time
- 04 January 1992: Billy & The King Bees: Bango
- 26 January 1992: Carla Thomas: Gee Whiz, It's Christmas
- 09 February 1992: Otis Redding: Come To Me
- 22 February 1992: Barbara & The Browns: Big Party
- 07 March 1992: Drapels: Young Man
- 09 May 1992: Booker T & The MGs: Can't Be Still
- 16 May 1992: Otis Redding: That's How Strong My Love Is
- 30 May 1992: Wendy Rene: Give You What I Got
- 05 July 1992 (BFBS): Wendy Rene: Give You What I Got
- 28 August 1992: Rufus Thomas and Carla Thomas: When You Move You Lose
- 19 September 1992: Mar-Keys: Grab This Thing (Part 1)
- 03 October 1992: Astors: In The Twilight Zone
- 17 October 1992: Rufus Thomas and Carla Thomas: When You Move You Lose
- 19 February 1993: William Bell: Share What You Got (But Keep What You Need)
- 04 September 1993: Hot Sauce: I’ll Kill A Brick (About My Man)
(CD - 1000 Volts Of Stax)
- 13 October 1991: Mable John: Sweet Devil
(CD - Stax O' Soul)
- 20 November 1993: William Bell: Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow
- 03 December 1993: Johnnie Taylor: I Could Never Get To Be President
(CD - Stax Gold Hits 1968-1974)
- 01 April 1996: Mel & Tim: Starting All Over Again
- 2000s
(LP - UK Stax Singles 1968-1975)
- 14 September 2000: Mel & Tim: Free For All
- 20 September 2000: Soul Children: Hearsay (JP: "What a mighty record that is; no messing at all.")
- 31 October 2000: Johnny Daye: Stay Baby Stay
- November 2000 (FSK): Soul Children: Hearsay