HBO Sets Premiere Date for ‘STAX: Soulsville U.S.A.’ Docuseries

HBO has announced a premiere date for its highly anticipated Stax Records documentary, STAX: Soulsville U.S.A. 

The four-part docuseries premieres Monday, May 20, at 9 p.m. ET on HBO, with two episodes airing back to back. The last two parts will air the following night, May 21, at the same time. All four parts will be available to stream on Max on May 20. 

STAX: Soulsville U.S.A., directed and produced by Jamila Wignot, highlights the story behind Stax Records and honors its iconic roster that included artists such as Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, Booker T. & the M.G.’s, Sam & Dave, and more. 

Per the logline, “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.”

Originally named Satellite Records, the Memphis-based company was founded in 1957 by Jim Stewart, who co-owned the label with his sister Estelle Axton.

In 1961, the label’s name was changed to Stax Records — a combination of the first two letters of Jim’s and Estelle’s last names. Some of the label’s early hits include “‘Cause I Love You” by Rufus & Carla, “Soul Man” by Sam & Dave, “(Sittin’ On) the Dock of the Bay” by Otis Redding, “Theme from Shaft” by Isaac Hayes, and many more. 

Below is a synopsis of each episode provided by HBO:

Chapter One: “Cause I Love You”
Air Date: Monday, May 20 (9-10 p.m. ET/PT)
With humble beginnings in Memphis, TN in the late 1950s, Stax Records quickly becomes one of the most influential record labels on the Black music scene, breaking out iconic artists including Sam & Dave, Booker T. & the MG’s, and Otis Redding. With growing popularity in the Black market, Stax executives and musicians were determined to transcend racial divides and bring their music into the American mainstream.  

Chapter Two: “Soul Man”
Air Date: Monday, May 20 (10-11 p.m. ET/PT)
Stax Records finally breaks through to the white market, with their crossover hit “Soul Man” and Otis Redding’s performance at the Monterey Pop Festival. But Redding’s untimely death, the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., legal obstacles, and ongoing racial tensions in Memphis reveal cracks in the surface at the company.

Chapter Three: “Respect Yourself”
Air date: Tuesday, May 21 (9-10 p.m. ET/PT)
After the tragic death of Otis Redding and the Atlantic Records merger that left Stax in the dust, Stax promotions director Al Bell steps up to save the company, releasing hit records such as “Soul Limbo” and “Who’s Making Love?” Stax puts their efforts behind Isaac Hayes, who receives Grammy and Oscar awards for his work composing the music and theme song for the 1971 box office smash hit “Shaft.”

Chapter Four: “Nothing Takes The Place Of You”
Air Date: Tuesday, May 21 (10-11 p.m. ET/PT)
By the 1970s, Stax is in its prime and decides to give back to the Black community in Los Angeles, CA, by putting on the Wattstax benefit concert in 1972 and recording the event as a documentary. However, not long after, money troubles plague the company when their bank goes under and drags Stax down with them, forcing the company to shutter its doors.

Watch the trailer for the Stax Records documentary, STAX: Soulsville U.S.A., below.