The soul music that came out of Memphis in the 1960’s transformed the landscape of popular music. It was rhythm and blues; it was rock and roll. It was the sound of the Deep South, the incredible voices that came from the black church, and the rhythms of the land. It was the vehicle to stardom for many. Its legacy has lasted 50 years and will live as long as people have a need to be nurtured by the soulful sounds of Stax-Volt, Otis Redding, Booker T and the MGs, Wilson Pickett, Sam and Dave, James Brown, Dusty Springfield, Aretha Franklin and many others.
Join Rhythmix and acclaimed musician Pete Elman in this astonishing 6-week peek into how Memphis soul put the grit, grease and grace into American music.
Thursday, Oct 4th
Week one: The origins of soul music: Memphis in the 1950’s; Jim Stewart and Estelle Axton, Stax records; Rufus and Carla Thomas; The Mar-Keys, Booker T. and the MGs; Chips Moman, the origin, history, impact and legacy of the greatest instrumental band in all of American music. Al Bell comes into the business.
Thursday, Oct 18th
Week two: The king of soul: The life and music of legend Otis Redding, the greatest soul singer of the 1960’s. Selected clips from Monterey Pop and Live in Norway.
Thursday, Oct 25th
Week three: The messengers of soul: Eddie Floyd, Mable John, (post-Motown) Luher Ingram (Koko, dist. by Stax) Johnnie Taylor, William Bell, the Bar Kays; the writing/producing team of Isaac Hayes and David Porter. Rick Hall and FAME studio, Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, the Swampers, Staple singers
Thursday, Nov 1st
Week four: Soul signifiers: Sam and Dave and the Wicked Pickett
Thursday, Nov 8th
Week five: Soul sisters: Dusty Springfield and Aretha Franklin, in Memphis
Thursday, Nov 15th
Week six: Soul brother number one: The Godfather of Soul: James Brown