undefined - 90th Shellebration: Memphis Studio Superset
90th Shellebration: Memphis Studio Superset
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From September 10th-13th, The Overton Park Shell 90th Birthday Weekend will present back-to-back days featuring unique collaborations as Memphis comes together to pay tribute to the legacy of our historic stage. About the Event: Sam Phillips Recording, Stax Records, Sun Studios, American Recording Studio, Royal Studios, and Unapologetic. will join forces to showcase the legendary sound of Memphis recording throughout the years. ARTISTS INCLUDE: Mark Edgar Stuart Kyndle Wylde Jerry Phillips Marcella Simien Jimmy Davis Bailey Bigger Singa B Boo Mitchell Jerome Chism Lina Beach Royal Studios House Band And Many More! —————————————————————- About the Sam Phillips Recording Services: Sam Phillips is not just one of the most important producers in rock history, he is also one of the most important figures in 20th-century American culture. As owner and founder of his Memphis Recording Service Studio and Sun Record Company, he was the vital creative innovator at the epicenter of establishing rock n’ roll as the fresh, new, global music of the 20th-century era. He produced, recorded, inspired and launched the careers of the artists that originally defined this new musical sound…Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, Charlie Rich, B.B. King, Ike Turner, Howlin’ Wolf, Little Milton, Rufus Thomas, and so many more. Sam first made his mark (and a very deep one) with electric rhythm and blues by African American black performers. He will always be remembered for all of the music he created, but probably most remembered for his difference-making rock n’ roll artists, particularly Elvis Presley. After successfully outgrowing his Memphis Recording Service/ Sun Studio, Phillips opened Sam Phillips Recording service in 1960. This studio is still owned and operated by the Sam Phillips family. Walking through the doors of the studio today is like taking a musical journey back to 1960. It has remained an Analog focused recording facility and the Phillips family has no plans to change. —————————————————————— About Stax Records In 1957, Jim Stewart founded Satellite Records in Brunswick, Tennessee. With a loan and the support from his sister Estelle Axton, the duo relocated Satellite Records to Memphis in 1959, setting up shop in an old movie theater at 926 E. McLemore Avenue. From this partnership, Stax Records emerged and so did its name—combining the first two letters of Stewart and Axton. The establishment of this new company marked the beginning of a transformative journey in soul music.
In Memphis, Stax Records quickly became a beacon of musical diversity, blending emerging rhythm and blues styles into a branded “Memphis Sound” of soul music that would evolve to captivate global audiences. With input from luminaries like Rufus Thomas, his daughter Carla Thomas, and crooner William Bell etching an early impression on the label, Stax earned a reputation as a haven for local talent. Soon, instrumental ensemble Booker T. & the M.G.’s provided a backbeat for the label’s roster of artists, serving as the de facto studio band and hitmakers in their own right. Also charged with helping to define the label’s signature R&B sound, star songwriters David Porter and Isaac Hayes scribed lyrics tailored to the Stax performers. On loan from distributor Atlantic Records, the livewire vocal duo Sam & Dave paired with Hayes and Porter with hits like “Soul Man” and “Hold On, I’m Coming,” solidifying Stax’s place as a powerhouse of rhythm & blues music.
The label’s roster expanded to include talents like Eddie Floyd, whose anthem “Knock on Wood” became a cornerstone of Stax’s repertoire. Otis Redding, perhaps the label’s most treasured star, left an everlasting legacy with his evocative and emotive vocal performances on tunes like “These Arms of Mine” and “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay.” Tragically, Redding’s life, along with those of four teenage members of the Bar-Kays, was cut short in a fatal plane crash in 1967, leaving a void in the music world that could never be filled.
Following the loss of Redding and the dissolution of its partnership with Atlantic Records, Stax Records was forced to evolve. Under the leadership of Al Bell, the label orchestrated a “Soul Explosion” in 1969, flooding the market with nearly 30 albums to revitalize the Stax brand. Isaac Hayes emerged as a central figure in this musical renaissance, transitioning from staff songwriter to Stax’s marquee performing artist thanks to the breakout success of his album “Hot Buttered Soul.” Before long, he’d reach newer heights with the Oscar®-winning “Theme from Shaft,” earning him a spot as an international household name.
In this era of renewed creativity, Stax broadened its reach to become a launching pad for revered groups from outside Memphis, such as the Staple Singers, the Dramatics, and the Emotions, as well as solo acts like Johnnie Taylor and Albert King. The label’s diversification went beyond geography and into various genres, solidifying its status as a formidable marketing juggernaut.
Among its endeavors was the historic Wattstax concert and film in 1972, epitomizing Stax’s commitment to celebrating African American culture through music. Despite its luminous achievements, Stax faced mounting challenges in the 1970s, including financial woes and legal disputes.
In 1973, Stax Records faced financial strain after its intended expansion effort was complicated by racial tensions and economic pressures in Memphis. Despite efforts to sustain operations, Stax succumbed to these challenges, culminating in involuntary bankruptcy in 1975.
In June 1977, Fantasy Records purchased the Stax Record Company’s masters out of bankruptcy. Soon, they’d resuscitate the Stax brand, along with Volt and other associated subsidiaries, to release new recordings and previously unreleased material.
Concord, which acquired the legendary Memphis label as part of its 2004 purchase of Fantasy Records, has since honored Stax’s unique legacy, releasing definitive collections, rare performances, unreleased tracks, and more in deluxe collectors’ packages. Additionally, Concord proudly supports and works closely with the Soulsville Foundation to preserve and honor the legacy of Stax Records and the Memphis Sound.
Today, at 926 E. McLemore in Memphis, Tennessee, the Soulsville Foundation occupies a multimillion-dollar campus that includes the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, Stax Music Academy, and the Soulsville Charter School. The Soulsville Foundation’s two youth programs serve the inner-city youth who are carrying the unique legacy of Stax Records into the future for generations to come.
Stax Records is critical to American music history as one of the most popular soul music record labels of all time. In 15 years, Stax placed more than 167 hit songs in the Top 100 on the pop charts and a staggering 243 hits in the Top 100 R&B charts. It launched the careers of legendary artists such as Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Rufus & Carla Thomas, Booker T. & the M.G.’s, among numerous others.
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About Sun Studios:
Sun Studio is known worldwide as “The Birthplace of Rock’n’roll”. It is the discovery location of musical legends and genres of the 50’s from B.B. King and Elvis Presley to Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis; from Blues and Gospel to Country and Rock’n'roll. Today our goal is to spread the story of Memphis’ history and culture through the music that put Memphis on the map.
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About American Recording Studio:
American Recording Studio is one of the most legendary Memphis studios. The building was designed by architectural and acoustical engineers, who hand crafted the rare stereo echo chambers and concrete floated floors in Studio A. The studio is the first and only recording studio in Memphis,built from the ground up, with the intent to be a recording studio. It has a history of being an integral part in producing numerous Gold and Grammy Award-winning records. Stan Kessler was the studio operator and General Manager of American East. When American Sound began to expand, it was renamed American East with Chips Moman and Don Crews . It is the only physical part of American Sound Group that remains in Memphis.
As time went on, the studio went to host other names. Don Crews re-opened as Onyx after Chips went back to Nashville and Georgia. The Bar-Kays occupied the studio as their home base after Stax closed. Easley McCain Recording operated at the studio until 2005 when a control room fire closed the studio, forcing them to move to another location. David Gicking purchased the studio in 2011 to restore the studio back to its glory days. In 2011, the studio was reopened and Today, the studio is equipped with world class recording gear and continues to make music history.
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About Royal Studios:
Nestled in the heart of South Memphis, Royal Studios stands as a testament to the city’s rich musical heritage. With a history that spans over six decades, this legendary recording studio has been a birthplace for countless hits and has played a pivotal role by shaping the sound of American music and being a leader in highlighting and preserving Black culture through music.
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About Unapologetic.:
Unapologetic. is a brand based in inspiring others to be boldly, daringly, and unapologetically themselves. We aim to disrupt. We aim to ease. We also aim to build discomfort when necessary, through art. Our art is our voices, sounds, illustrations, perspectives, event, and experiences. It is unapologetically our lives.
Food Trucks: Smoke & Toast | Flipside Asia | Carmelita’s Taquería | Chais Halal | La Antojería | Mempops
Picnic baskets, coolers, beverages, blankets, and lawn chairs are always welcome. We also offer food and beverage for sale in the Autozone Food and Beverage Concourse. Dogs on a leash are welcome in designated areas. Overton Park Shell is a nonsmoking facility.
