‘Stax: Soulsville U.S.A.’ Documentary: HBO’s Sets Premiere Date For Four-Part Docu-Series [TRAILER]

The forthcoming HBO Original documentary series ‘Stax: Soulsville U.S.A.’ is set to debut on May 20th, featuring a four-part exploration of the iconic Stax Records. The series, produced and directed by filmmaker Jamila Wignot, has already gained recognition as an official selection of the 2024 SXSW Film & TV Festival and winner of the TV Premiere Audience Award.

Official synopsis:

By 1973, Stax Records was one of the recording industry’s most influential producers of soul music, breaking acts such as Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, Booker T. & the M.G.’s, Sam & Dave, and many more. In just under two decades, the scrappy outsider had grown from a modest family-owned record store and studio in Memphis, TN to a trailblazing global music label. STAX: SOULSVILLE U.S.A. chronicles the audacious group of individuals who dared to make music on their own terms, smashing racial barriers and defining an era and leaving an enduring musical legacy in their wake. Driven by a striking collection of restored and remastered archival performance footage and intimate interviews with key players in the label’s remarkable history, STAX: SOULSVILLE U.S.A. details the unlikely origin story of Stax Records and pays tribute to its complex music library and the legendary artists that emerged from the iconic studio.

Founded in 1957 by Jim Stewart and co-owned with his sister, Estelle Axton, the company drew upon a mix of young, local talent – musicians, songwriters, and producers – who would create the unforgettable Stax sound. Against the backdrop of the American south of the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s, white and Black artists worked together, defying segregation, and producing hits such as “(Sittin’ On) the Dock of the Bay,” “Soul Man,” “Green Onions,” and the Oscar(R)-winning “Theme from Shaft.” At the peak of its success, Stax artists commemorated the Watts Rebellion by playing to over 100,000 African Americans at the 1972 benefit concert Wattstax. During an era of major social turbulence, systemic inequity, and racial tensions, Stax, an integrated company, saw stunning artistic and cultural success, and managed to rebound from repeated business setbacks and tragic losses before the studio ultimately dissolved after fifteen pioneering years.

‘Stax: Soulsville U.S.A.’ is a collaboration between Laylow Pictures and White Horse Pictures in association with Concord Originals, Polygram Entertainment, and Warner Music Entertainment. The documentary aims to delve into the influential legacy of Stax Records, a trailblazing force in soul music during the 1970s.

The series is scheduled to premiere on Monday, May 20th, at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on HBO, with two episodes airing back-to-back. The remaining two episodes will air consecutively on Tuesday, May 21st, at the same time. Additionally, all four episodes will be available for streaming on HBO Max starting May 20th.

‘Stax: Soulsville U.S.A.’ promises to provide an in-depth look into Stax Records’ groundbreaking journey, featuring restored archival performance footage and interviews with key figures such as Stax founders Jim Stewart and Estelle Axton, as well as legendary artists like Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, and Booker T. Jones.

The documentary series is structured into four chapters:

Chapter One: “Cause I Love You”
Debut date: Monday, May 20 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT)
This chapter traces Stax Records’ rise from its humble beginnings in Memphis to becoming a driving force in Black music, launching the careers of iconic artists like Sam & Dave, Booker T. & the MG’s, and Otis Redding.

Chapter Two: “Soul Man”**
Debut date: Monday, May 20 (10:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT)
The series delves into Stax Records’ breakthrough into the white market with hits like “Soul Man” and the impact of Otis Redding’s performance at the Monterey Pop Festival.

Chapter Three: “Respect Yourself”
Debut date: Tuesday, May 21 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT)
After facing challenges including the death of Otis Redding and financial setbacks, Stax Records regains momentum with hit records and the rise of artists like Isaac Hayes.

Chapter Four: “Nothing Takes The Place Of You”
Debut date: Tuesday, May 21 (10:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT)
As Stax Records reaches its zenith, the series explores their contributions to the Black community through events like the Wattstax benefit concert, before financial difficulties lead to the company’s closure.

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