Memphis Soul

Memphis Soul is a genre of music that originated from the city of Memphis, Tennessee, and became popular in the 1960s and 1970s. It is a style of music that is characterized by its heavy use of horns, drums, and guitars, and is known for its soulful vocals and upbeat rhythms. This genre has a rich history that has influenced the music industry for decades. The roots of Memphis Soul can be traced back to the 1950s and 1960s, when Memphis was a hub for music production. The city was home to several record labels, including Stax Records, which was founded in 1957. Stax Records was known for recording African-American musicians, and it became famous for its unique sound that blended Gospel, R&B, rock and roll, and blues. The label was run by Jim Stewart and Estelle Axton, who were siblings, and together they created a music empire that would define the sound of Memphis Soul. The first Memphis Soul record was recorded by Rufus Thomas in 1960. The song was called “Bear Cat,” and it was an answer to Big Mama Thornton’s hit song “Hound Dog.” Thomas’ song became a hit, and it paved the way for other Memphis Soul records. One of the most famous Memphis Soul songs of all time is “Green Onions” by Booker T. & the M.G.’s. The song was recorded in 1962 and featured the band’s signature sound of organ, bass, guitar, and drums. The Memphis Soul sound was heavily influenced by gospel music, and many of the musicians that were signed to Stax Records had roots in the church. The sound was also heavily influenced by the Civil Rights Movement and the struggle for racial equality. Musicians such as Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, and Isaac Hayes wrote songs that were socially conscious and addressed the issues of the time. Their music spoke to a generation of young people who were fighting for change, and it helped to bring about a sense of unity among different races. In the mid-1960s, Memphis Soul began to gain national attention. Many musicians who had started out playing in local clubs and bars in Memphis were signed to major record labels, and their music became hits across the country. Artists such as Wilson Pickett, Percy Sledge, and Aretha Franklin became household names, and their music had a profound impact on the music industry. Memphis Soul continued to evolve throughout the 1970s, with musicians experimenting with new sounds and incorporating elements of funk, disco, and rock into their music. The genre remained popular throughout the decade, but by the 1980s, its popularity began to wane. Many of the musicians who had helped to define the sound of Memphis Soul had passed away, and the music industry had shifted towards new genres like hip hop and punk. Despite this, the legacy of Memphis Soul lives on. The music has influenced countless musicians across a variety of genres, and its impact can still be felt to this day. The city of Memphis remains a hub for music production, and Stax Records continues to be a symbol of the city’s rich musical history.

Otis Redding: Hailing from Georgia, Otis Redding became one of the biggest stars of the Memphis Soul scene with hits like "Try a Little Tenderness" and "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay." He tragically died in a plane crash at the age of 26, but his impact on soul music cannot be understated. Al Green: Known for his smooth vocals and romantic lyrics, Al Green had a string of hits in the early 1970s, including "Let's Stay Together" and "Tired of Being Alone." He eventually became a pastor, and his music took on a more gospel influence. Carla Thomas: The "Queen of Memphis Soul," Carla Thomas was the first female artist signed to Stax Records. Some of her popular hits include "B-A-B-Y" and "Gee Whiz (Look at His Eyes)." Booker T. and the M.G.'s: This instrumental group served as the house band for Stax Records and backed up countless artists in the studio. They also had their own hits, such as "Green Onions" and "Time Is Tight." Isaac Hayes: Another Stax Records artist, Isaac Hayes was known for his soulful voice and elaborate arrangements. He won an Academy Award for his theme song for the film "Shaft." Rufus Thomas: A longtime performer in Memphis, Rufus Thomas had a string of hits in the 1960s and 1970s, including "Walking the Dog" and "Do the Funky Chicken." He was also a disc jockey and popular radio personality. Sam & Dave: The dynamic duo of Sam Moore and Dave Prater had a number of hits in the 1960s, including "Soul Man" and "Hold On, I'm Coming." Their energetic performances were legendary. The Bar-Kays: This funk and soul band backed up artists like Otis Redding and Isaac Hayes, but also had their own hits, including "Soul Finger" and "Son of Shaft." They continue to perform to this day. Eddie Floyd: A singer and songwriter, Eddie Floyd penned hits for other artists before finding success with his own recordings. His hits include "Knock on Wood" and "Raise Your Hand." Wilson Pickett: Born in Alabama, Wilson Pickett became one of the biggest stars of the Memphis Soul scene with hits like "In the Midnight Hour" and "Mustang Sally." His energetic performances and raspy voice were unmistakable.

1. Green Onions - Booker T. & the M.G.'s 2. Dock of the Bay - Otis Redding 3. Respect - Aretha Franklin 4. Hold On, I'm Comin' - Sam & Dave 5. Soul Man - Sam & Dave 6. Sitting on the Dock of the Bay / Sweet Lorene - Otis Redding 7. Who's Making Love - Johnny Taylor 8. Sha-La-La (Make Me Happy) - Al Green 9. I've Been Lonely for So Long - Frederick Knight 10. In the Midnight Hour - Wilson Pickett 11. Walking the Dog - Rufus Thomas 12. Knock on Wood - Eddie Floyd 13. Soul Finger - The Bar-Kays 14. Tramp - Otis Redding & Carla Thomas 15. Rescue Me - Fontella Bass 16. Try a Little Tenderness - Otis Redding 17. I Can't Stand the Rain - Ann Peebles 18. B-A-B-Y - Carla Thomas 19. Can't See You When I Want To - Joe Simon 20. Do the Funky Chicken - Rufus Thomas 21. Grits Ain't Groceries - Little Milton 22. Love and Happiness - Al Green 23. Turn Back the Hands of Time - Tyrone Davis 24. Let's Stay Together - Al Green 25. I'll Take You There - The Staple Singers

One of the most comprehensive books on Memphis Soul is “Soulsville U.S.A.: The Story of Stax Records” by Rob Bowman. The book tells the story of the rise of Stax Records, a Memphis label that became a hub for some of the most influential musicians and producers in the industry. In the book, Bowman highlights the importance of Memphis Soul, saying, “The sound that emerged from the former theater at 926 East McLemore became one of the most powerful, emotive, and enduring musical expressions of any era.” Another book that explores the Memphis Soul genre is “Respect Yourself: Stax Records and the Soul Explosion” by Robert Gordon. The book examines the cultural and social impact of Stax Records and its influence on the civil rights movement. Gordon says, “There is so much that Memphis represents in terms of the underside of the American experience… The soul music that came out of Memphis speaks to that same thing.” In an interview with Culture Trip, Grammy-winning blues musician William Bell talked about the significance of Memphis Soul. He said, “Memphis Soul is the blue-collar cousin of Motown…We were more down-home and gritty, and some of the greatest musicians and songwriters who ever lived were coming out of Memphis.” Music writer Steve Turner, in his book “Popcultured: Thinking Christianly About Style, Media and Entertainment”, speaks to the influence of Memphis Soul music on contemporary music and culture. He says, “As we listen to the blues, soul and gospel recordings that came out of Memphis…we hear a depth of feeling that can’t be easily dismissed. It’s a sound that grabs us on both physical and emotional levels because it’s honed to speak to those depths.” Music critic Robert Christgau, in his review of Otis Redding’s album “The Immortal Otis Redding”, says, “This is exactly the right way to start an Otis Redding collection: with enough familiar action to get started, enough dignity to sustain the buckets of tears the material’s liable to draw… a monument to one of American soul’s stellar heroes.”

The social context of Memphis Soul was deeply rooted in the Civil Rights Movement and the entirety of the Civil Rights Era. The genre was born in the city of Memphis, Tennessee, which had a long history of racial segregation and discrimination. Memphis was a particularly active center for the Civil Rights Movement, hosting the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and serving as the site of several significant rallies. Against this social backdrop, Memphis Soul emerged as the soundtrack to African American resistance and liberation. The cultural context of Memphis Soul was characterized by the vibrant and diverse African American music scene that was prevalent in Memphis during the 1960s. Memphis was home to many music venues and record labels, such as Stax Records, Hi Records, and Sun Records, and had a rich tradition of blues, gospel, and R&B that influenced the development of Memphis Soul. The genre drew heavily on these musical styles while incorporating elements of funk and rock and roll to create a unique sound that reflected the cultural milieu of Memphis during this period. The technological context of Memphis Soul was characterized by the emergence of new recording and production technologies that allowed the genre to flourish. Stax Records, in particular, was instrumental in developing these technologies, creating its distinctive sound in collaboration with sound engineers such as Chips Moman and Tom Dowd. Stax Records pioneered the use of multi-track recording and overdubbing to create a layered and complex sound that was distinctly different from previous recording methods. This new technology allowed Memphis Soul to explore new sonic territory and push the boundaries of what was possible in music production. Notable figures in the development and popularization of Memphis Soul included influential journalists such as Dave Marsh and Peter Guralnick, who were early champions of the genre and helped to bring it to a wider audience. Artists such as Otis Redding, Al Green, and Isaac Hayes were also central to the development of Memphis Soul. They brought their unique styles and innovative musical approaches to the genre, helping to create the distinctive sound that came to define Memphis Soul. Perhaps the most significant contributor to the success of Memphis Soul was Stax Records, the legendary label that was home to many of the genre's most influential artists. Stax Records was founded in 1957 by Jim Stewart and his sister, Estelle Axton, and quickly became one of the most significant independent record labels of the 1960s. The label's roster included iconic artists such as Otis Redding, Booker T. and the M.G.'s, and Sam & Dave, among others. Stax became known for its raw, funky sound, and its artists were renowned for their powerful performances and socially conscious lyrics.