This is the fifth in our series of profiles of iconic record labels, exploring the label's history, some interesting stories about the artists they signed, and music they released. Look for more label profiles coming up soon and check them all out here.
Stax Records stands as one of the most influential and culturally significant labels in American music history, shaping the sound of Southern soul and leaving a lasting legacy that extends far beyond its relatively short original lifespan. Founded in Memphis, Tennessee, Stax was more than a record company—it was a creative community, a symbol of racial cooperation during a deeply divided era, and a vital voice of Black American expression.
Stax Records began in 1957 as Satellite Records, founded by siblings Jim Stewart and Estelle Axton. Stewart, a former country fiddler and bank employee, initially had little involvement with rhythm and blues. Axton, however, believed in the commercial potential of the emerging Black music scene in Memphis. In 1959, the label moved into a former movie theater at 926 East McLemore Avenue in South Memphis. The sloping floor of the old Capitol Theatre gave the studio its distinctive acoustics, contributing to the warm, gritty sound that would later define Stax recordings. In 1961, the label changed its name to Stax, combining the first letters of Stewart and Axton’s surnames.
Booker T. & the M.G.'s were an early Stax success story, later becoming the house band playing on numerous Stax releases
Stax’s early breakthrough came through a distribution deal with Atlantic Records. This partnership helped bring Stax releases to a national audience while allowing the Memphis label to maintain creative independence. Early successes included instrumental hits by Booker T. & the M.G.’s, whose 1962 track “Green Onions” became a defining anthem of soul music. The group—Booker T. Jones, Steve Cropper, Donald “Duck” Dunn, and Al Jackson Jr.—also served as Stax’s house band, backing many of the label’s artists and helping to craft its signature sound.
What distinguished Stax from other soul labels, particularly Motown, was its raw, unpolished feel. While Motown emphasized slick arrangements and crossover pop appeal, Stax recordings were earthy, spontaneous, and deeply rooted in gospel, blues, and Southern R&B traditions. The label’s integrated house band and collaborative studio environment were also remarkable during the height of segregation. Black and white musicians worked side by side, united by music in a city and region marked by racial tension.
Among Stax’s most important artists was Otis Redding, whose powerful, emotional performances became synonymous with the label. Redding’s recordings, including “These Arms of Mine,” “Try a Little Tenderness,” and “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay,” helped elevate Stax to international prominence. His tragic death in a plane crash in 1967 was a devastating blow to the label, both emotionally and commercially.
Otis Redding (1941-1967) hit it big internationally for Stax with his classic track “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” and more
Other key Stax artists included Sam & Dave, known for explosive hits like “Soul Man” and “Hold On, I’m Comin’,” written and produced by the songwriting team of Isaac Hayes and David Porter. Hayes would later emerge as a star in his own right, especially with his groundbreaking 1971 album Hot Buttered Soul. That album redefined soul music, introducing longer tracks, orchestral arrangements, and a more cinematic approach, paving the way for funk and modern R&B.
"Soul Man", "Hold On, I'm Comin' " and more gained a major second life after the release of the John Belushi/Dan Akroyd Blues Brothers movie in 1980, along with the smash success of Briefcase Full Of Blues--the album that accompanied it. Perhaps the real stars of the album were the veteran blues men from Booker T's group Steve Cropper and Duck Dunn, who reprised their Sam & Dave roles by playing on the tracks and in the film.
The 1980 Blues Brothers film reminded blues lovers everywhere of the tremendous impact of Sam & Dave's early Stax successes
The late 1960s brought major changes—and challenges—for Stax. In 1968, Atlantic Records was sold to Warner-Seven Arts. Due to a clause in Stax’s distribution contract, Atlantic retained ownership of Stax’s entire back catalog. When the partnership ended, Stax was left without rights to its past recordings, forcing the label to rebuild its catalog almost from scratch. This loss severely weakened Stax’s financial stability.
The Staple Singers material helped define Stax as a label helping lead the civil rights movement in the 1970s
In 1968, Stax was sold to Gulf & Western, a large conglomerate, and Al Bell became the label’s president. Bell sought to expand Stax’s reach and transform it into a major Black-owned entertainment enterprise. Under his leadership, Stax signed new artists and released an ambitious volume of material, including work by The Staple Singers, whose socially conscious hits like “Respect Yourself” and “I’ll Take You There” resonated strongly during the civil rights era.
Stax also became increasingly engaged with Black political and cultural movements. The label supported community initiatives in Memphis and promoted themes of empowerment and pride through its music. In 1972, Stax organized the Wattstax concert in Los Angeles, often referred to as “the Black Woodstock.” Featuring performances by Isaac Hayes, The Staple Singers, Rufus Thomas, and others, the event celebrated Black culture and unity while addressing social and economic issues.
Isaac Hayes got support from Stax early in his career
Despite its creative success, Stax faced mounting financial problems in the early 1970s. Rapid expansion, internal conflicts, and distribution issues strained the company’s resources. In 1975, Stax Records filed for bankruptcy and ceased operations. Its closure marked the end of an era, but its influence endured.
In the decades following its demise, Stax’s reputation grew rather than faded. Its recordings continued to inspire generations of musicians across soul, rock, funk, hip-hop, and beyond. Artists such as The Rolling Stones, who recorded at Stax and idolized its musicians, openly acknowledged its impact. The Stax sound—marked by tight rhythms, emotive vocals, and a deep sense of groove—became a cornerstone of American popular music.
The Rolling Stones have long acknowledged the great contributions Stax Records and its' artists have made to the music scene
In 2003, the Stax Museum of American Soul Music opened on the original McLemore Avenue site, preserving the label’s history and celebrating its artists. The museum serves as both a tribute and an educational center, highlighting Stax’s role in music, civil rights, and cultural integration.
Today, Stax Records is remembered not only for its legendary artists and timeless songs but also for what it represented: a place where creativity thrived across racial lines, where music spoke honestly about love, struggle, and hope, and where a small Memphis label helped change the sound—and the soul—of American music forever.
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