Unspecified/General

On a quiet corner in the Soulsville neighbourhood of south Memphis, the Stax Museum of American Soul Music stands on the very site of the legendary recording studio that produced some of the most influential music of the twentieth century. The original Stax Records, housed in a converted movie theatre, was the home of Otis Redding, Booker T. and the M.G.'s, Isaac Hayes, Sam and Dave and many others, recording an extraordinary catalogue of soul, funk and rhythm and blues before the company collapsed in the mid-1970s. The building was eventually demolished, and a faithful reconstruction now houses the museum, which opened in 2003. The exhibits inside are richly atmospheric. A small wooden church transported from rural Mississippi anchors the opening galleries, rooting the museum in the gospel music that fed soul, and from there visitors trace the rise of the Stax sound through artefacts, costumes, photographs, instruments and listening stations. Isaac Hayes's fur-trimmed, gold-plated Cadillac and stage outfits worn by the label's greatest stars number among the standout pieces. A recreation of the original Studio A allows guests to stand in the very space, sloped floor and all, where so many classic tracks were laid down, while archival footage and recordings bring the era to vivid life. The museum is also an active community resource, sitting beside the Stax Music Academy and the Soulsville Charter School, both of which provide music education to local young people in continuation of the original label's deep neighbourhood roots. For lovers of soul music and the broader story of American popular sound, the Stax Museum offers a moving and meticulously curated experience, a fitting tribute to a small Memphis label whose music shook the world. Admission is reasonable, the museum shop stocks an extensive selection of Stax recordings and merchandise, and a typical visit fills a couple of unhurried hours. Set away from the tourist core of downtown Memphis, it rewards visitors who venture out of the centre with one of the most authentic and emotionally resonant musical experiences in the city.

Type: Tourist Attraction

Address: 926 E McLemore Avenue, Memphis, TN, United States

Telephone: 901-261-6338

Website: staxmuseum.com

Opening Date: 02/05/2003