'Stax: Soulsville U.S.A' air date, plot, full cast and how to stream HBO's documentary series
Show name: Stax: Soulsville U.S.A
Platform: HBO Max
Date of release: May 20, 2024
Country of origin: United States
Genre: Documentary
Director: Jamila Wignot
Full cast list: Isaac Hayes, Steve Cropper, Otis Redding, Sam Moore, Booker T Jones, and others
'Stax: Soulsville U.S.A' will stream on HBO Max from May 20, 2024, and the documentary series tells the story of Stax Records, a Memphis-based record company in the 1960s that took Memphis music to the world.
Directed by Jamila Wignot, this documentary series has four episodes. 'Stax: Soulsville U.S.A' was announced in 2022 for HBO Documentary Films with Ezra Edelman as its executive producer and Rob Bowman serving as a consultant.
The documentary series premiered at South by Southwest on March 10, 2024, where it won the TV Premiere Audience Award.
What is Stax Records?
Stax Records is an American record company that started its journey as Satellite Records in 1957 before changing its name to Stax Records in 1961.
The name comes from the amalgamation of its founders Jim Stewart and Estelle Axton's surname. Stax is responsible for getting many popular artists like Issac Hayes and Otis Redding into the limelight.
Stax Records prevailed at a time when racial strife was at its peak in Memphis and it made a difference as its team was a racially integrated one. The company flourished through the 1960s and early 1970s before being acquired by Fantasy Records in 1978 which was further acquired by Concord Records in 2004.
Concord Records reactivated the Stax label after it was a reissue label for decades under Fantasy Records.
What is the plot of 'Stax: Soulsville U.S.A'
'Stax: Soulsville U.S.A' is a documentary series that chronicles the rise of Stax Records and how it went from being a regional record label in Memphis Tennessee to an iconic national label.
The docuseries explores the cultural impact and legacy of Stax Records and takes the viewers on a journey through the ups and downs of the company.
The official synopsis of 'Stax: Soulsville U.S.A' reads, "In just under two decades, Stax Records in Memphis, Tennessee, grew from a family-owned record store and studio to one of the most influential producers of soul music — launching the careers of Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, Booker T. & The M.G.’s, and Sam & Dave, and more. Through archival performance footage and intimate interviews, STAX: Soulsville, U.S.A. chronicles the musicians, songwriters, and producers who smashed racial barriers and created the signature Stax sound that defined an era."
Main Cast of 'Stax: Soulsville U.S.A'
Isaac Hayes
Issac Hayes is a renowned musician representing the Memphis Sound. He belonged to a poor family and grew up picking cotton in Tennessee before becoming one of the defining musicians of the 1960s and 70s.
He won an Oscar for the 'Theme of Shaft' in 1970 and also ventured into acting with his most popular role being 'Truck Turner'. He also featured in the popular series 'South Park'.
Issac passed away in 2008 after a great career in music and acting.
Booker T Jones
Booker T Jones was born in 1944. He is a musician, recording artist, and the face of the band Booker T & the M.G.'s. His contribution to music is recognized world over and he is a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grammy Awards.
He shot to fame with the success of the band Booker T & The M.G.'s and after it disbanded in 1972, he relocated to Los Angeles, California to work with A&M Records.
He is known to be a master of the Hammond B3 organ.
Steve Cropper
Steve Cropper was the guitarist for Booker T. & the M.G.'s. His contribution to Stax Records earned him the reputation of being among the most influential guitarists in the Soul Music world.
He is widely regarded as one of the best guitarists ever and that claim was validated when Rolling Stone magazine ranked him on 39 among the '100 greatest guitarists of all time'.
He composed the '(Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay' for Top Gun and has also featured in films like 'The Blues Brothers' (1980).
How to stream 'Stax: Soulsville U.S.A'?
'Stax: Soulsville U.S.A' will stream on HBO Max on May 20, 2024.
If you don't have access, a basic Max subscription with ads costs $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year. For an ad-free experience, the subscription is $15.00 per month or $149.99 for a year.
The Ultimate plan costs $19.99 per month or $199.99 for a 12-month subscription.
'Stax: Soulsville U.S.A' trailer
'Stax: Soulsville U.S.A' will stream on HBO Max on May 20, 2024.