Legendary soul label celebrates 50th anniversary

It’s been 50 years since Stax opened its doors in Memphis, Tenn., and the legendary soul label is turning it up to 11 in 2007.

Thanks to a host of deluxe reissues, special events and new releases slated for this milestone year, Stax is celebrating its anniversary in style with recent signees Isaac Hayes and Angie Stone at the helm.

Since its birth a half-century ago, Stax has been home to soul giants like Otis Redding, Booker T. & the MGs, the Staple Singers and Eddie Floyd. The reactivation of Stax was initiated by Concord Music Group, which acquired the historic label in its 2004 purchase of Fantasy Records.

In honor of Stax’ immense contributions to the genre of soul over the past 50 years, Concord will release Stax 50: A 50th Anniversary Celebration, a two-CD, 50-track anthology featuring such timeless hits as Otis Redding’s “(Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay,” The Staples Singers’ “I’ll Take You There” and Carla Thomas’ “B-A-B-Y.”

Stax has more than 20 CDs and DVDs scheduled for release in what promises to be a soulful ’07.

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