Stax Records, an independent record label based in Memphis, Tennessee, was the primary architect of the Southern soul sound during the 1960s and early 1970s. Founded in 1957 by Jim Stewart and his sister Estelle Axton, Stax created a distinctive blend of gospel-influenced rhythm and blues that became known as Southern soul.

The label's signature sound emerged from its recording studio, located in a converted movie theater at 926 East McLemore Avenue in Memphis. This studio, with its unique acoustics and house band Booker T. & the M.G.'s, produced raw, emotional recordings that contrasted sharply with the more polished sound of Motown Records.

What made Stax particularly significant was its integrated approach during the height of racial segregation. The label's house band featured both black and white musicians, creating a collaborative environment that influenced the authentic, gritty sound of Southern soul.

Key artists who helped define the Stax sound included:

Otis Redding
Sam & Dave
Wilson Pickett
Carla Thomas
Eddie Floyd
Rufus Thomas
Isaac Hayes

Notable Southern soul classics produced by Stax include "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" by Otis Redding, "Soul Man" by Sam & Dave, and "Theme from Shaft" by Isaac Hayes. These recordings exemplified the raw, emotional delivery and powerful horn sections that characterized the Southern soul sound.

While other labels like Fame Records in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, also contributed to Southern soul, Stax Records remains the most influential independent label in developing and popularizing this distinctive musical style. The label's impact on American popular music continues to resonate today, with its recordings regularly sampled and covered by contemporary artists.

Stax Records operated independently until 1967, when it entered a distribution deal with Atlantic Records. The label eventually closed its doors in 1975, but its legacy as the birthplace of Southern soul remains firmly established in music history. Today, the former studio serves as the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, preserving the cultural significance of this pioneering independent record label.

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