Stax Records : Memphis
Stax Records in Memphis
In the 1950's there was a record label in Memphis called Satellite Records. Its founders were Jim Stewart and his sister Estelle Axton. They moved their business to the old Capitol Theatre and in 1961 Stewart took the first two letters of his last name and the first two letters from his sister's last name and made a new label called STAX Records. Their design for their logo was a falling stack of records. STAX Records became known in the 60's and 70's as the place to go to record soul music. Such famous recording artists as Issac Hayes, Booker T. and The MGs, Ottis Redding, Rufus Thomas, the Bar-Kays, and the Staples Singers all recorded there.
In 1973 Elvis needed to record more material to fulfill his contract obligations with RCA. He wasn't much in the mood to record as he hadn't been well, and he dreaded going back into the studio. His friend Marty Lacker, who had been instrumental in Elvis recording at American Sound Studio in Memphis four years earlier, was working at STAX. Since it was so close to Graceland, Marty got Elvis to agree to record there.
Elvis Presley with Wayne Jackson of the Memphis Horns at Stax Studios in Memphis, July 1973.
His first sessions there were in July 1973 and produced the singles 'I've Got A Thing About You Baby', 'Take Good Care of Her', 'Raised On Rock' and 'For Ol' Times Sake', as well as other songs that ended up on the album 'Raised On Rock'. Elvis' second sessions at STAX took place in December 1973. It was during these sessions that many of the tracks for the albums 'Promised Land' and 'Good Times' were recorded. These included such songs as 'It's Midnight', 'Mr. Songman', 'Love Song Of The Year', 'My Boy', 'Good Time Charlie's Got The Blues', 'Your Love's Been A Long Time Coming' and many more.
STAX Records went out of business and, sadly, the building was torn down in 1989.
Above, first photo, Elvis at Stax Studio July 22, 1973.
Second photo, Elvis' 1972 Stutz Blackhawk at Stax Studio December, 14, 1973. © Photo by Sandi Pichon.
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Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley DVD
Never before have we seen an Elvis Presley concert from the 1950's with sound. Until Now! The DVD Contains recently discovered unreleased film of Elvis performing 6 songs, including Heartbreak Hotel and Don't Be Cruel, live in Tupelo Mississippi 1956. Included we see a live performance of the elusive Long Tall Sally seen here for the first time ever. + Plus Bonus DVD Audio.
This is an excellent release no fan should be without it.
The 'parade' footage is good to see as it puts you in the right context with color and b&w footage. The interviews of Elvis' Parents are well worth hearing too. The afternoon show footage is wonderful and electrifying : Here is Elvis in his prime rocking and rolling in front of 11.000 people. Highly recommended.
Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley DVD Video with Sound.
