Stax Museum of American Soul Music

This is one fun museum. If you are a fan of should music this museum is a must. They start you off with a great documentary of Stax recording studio that will have you dancing in your seat. Then the well thought out, comprehensive displays will keep you busy for quite some time, so make sure you are not on a time crunch.

This place is so damn cool. Really. A lot of people might not know the history of Stax, but they definitely know the music. I was excited to check it out, and just like Sun studios, a trip to Memphis is not complete without a trip to Stax. From the Staple Singers to Isaac Hayes to Big Star to Booker T. and the MGs, this was a label where great things happened.
The story of Stax could have ended sadly, but with the museum and music academy, it carries the hope that the musicians and producers had in the past into a new era. I don’t get down to Memphis that often, but I would gladly visit this place again.

my 1^st visit to stax about 5 years ago changed my life. it honestly did. here’s how.
I’m a bit of a music junkie. I love music. I can’t play any instruments, nor can I write music. but I have a passion for it nonetheless. the ways it can change an move people, inspire and bring up memories. it’s an amazing thing. not to mention those times when you see a favorite artist perform live. which is something I wish I could do for many of these stax artists. but that would require a time machine. if you have access to one, please let me know. ;)
when I lived in Nashville, a fellow music junkie friend recommended I visit stax. I’m glad he did. I wasn’t that familiar with their roster, having only been introduced to Motown over the course my life. the artists that were on stax, in my humble opinion, are insanely underrated. and the stax museum does a great job of documenting why as well as the strong place stax artists have in music and social justice/​equality history. in that aspect, stax combines 2 big passions of mine. and I’m now addicted to the music that once flowed from those (since rebuilt) walls.
if you don’t know the history of stax, here’s the short version. it started out of the garage of 2 Caucasians who didn’t know anything about music. they bought a movie theater. white artists started playing music and performing with African American artists. something that was illegal in the segregated south. the music was amazing and inspired the music that later came out of muscle shoals. eventually and despite some great successes from artists like booker t & the mg’s (a group composed of 2 African americans and 2 Caucasians), Isaac hayes, and the staples singers, bad management lead to stax being sold to atlantic records. one of the great tragedies in American music history. the original building was torn down in the 1970s, but was rebuilt in the 1990s from the original blueprints.
the exhibits are great. you can easily spend an entire day there. and they’re not just about stax itself, but also about the music of Memphis (b.b. king, sister rosetta tharpe, etc), as well as the racial issues that surround that city. it is, as another reviewer noted, a much better use of your time than sun studios and graceland. it speaks to so much more history. I absolutely will go through stax again, the next time I’m in Memphis. and you should too.

3.5 stars.
Not bad, some great music and fun exhibits. A little small, but props to the Soulsville charter school & Stax Music Academy for keeping the music alive. Love what they are trying to do here for the community!

Great experience. The opening video was great and the exhibits were pretty cool. Issac Hayes’ Cadillac is something else. Really brought home the important role of Stax in American music.

The STAX Museum is an very fun way to spend an afternoon in Memphis. My family and I were in town recently and really enjoyed the exhibits. If you love soul music like Otis Redding, Sam and Dave, Booker T. and the MGs, and the Staple Singers, then you’ve gotta plan a visit. It is a beautiful facility.

When the Levee Breaks
I was in town for meetings and we had an evening group outing to the museum to take in some musical history and BBQ. The neighborhood is a little sketch at night but it was interesting to hear how they had tore down the old studio and re-​built it as a museum. Stax has quite a history thru the years but I thought it was pretty cool to hear that Memphis Minnie had recorded the original version of the Led Zeppelin tune here. They’ve got a cool plaque up front from Robert Plant that was given to Stax for their influence on the band’s music. What great appreciation!

Awesome exhibit! Rough part of town. Go during the day to avoid getting shot

I had a wonderful time here!!! The food was great. The drinks were amazing!!! The music was exactly what I needed to put me in the Christmas spirit!!!

Nothing to add from previous reviews. If you’re a fan of R&B or music in general then you need to visit. We had a blast and it was great to see the memorabilia.
The cost was minimal, check for Groupon offers. The staff was friendly and answered questions.
When in Memphis, visit STAX. I liked it better than Sun Studios and Graceland.

What a neat collection of memorabilia in an incredible venue! This place really allows the visitor to see the influence and impact of memphis music on so many other artists, and on the world.
Make sure you take the time to go through the entire museum and experience each installment to the fullest extent. From the replica of a gospel church to the dance floor — there is plenty to explore and experience!

Really cool museum of 70s stars and their tale of how they got famous which there is a lot of cool stage pieces, guitars, and artwork all over the museum. It’s definitely a part of Memphis history.

This place is amazing they give excellent knowledge of the history of Stax and the museum Is very impressive It gives you a great idea of the performers and all the performances. Every exhibit is wonderful I truly enjoyed my visit at the museum.

The Stax Museum of American Soul Music is am interesting way to spend am afternoon. It was the home of the Stax record label and has been turned into a museum featuring the Stax artists. Some are: Otis Redding, the Bar-​Kays, Booker T. & the M.G.‘s, Isaac Hayes, etc. Lots of info and memorabilia. The greatest thing is Isaac Hayes’ Cadillac Eldorado. Fun look at the 1970s and an era that is long gone.

This place is super cool. You want to have some time to hang out here to get your moneys worth. They have so much history on soul music in this place.
Starting with a video. You then get to take a trip through some of the best soul music memorabilia ever! They have a couple interactive displays that are pretty cool too.
A must see even if you’re not a big blues or soul music fan. It’s just a great part of history.

My favorite thing was the table where you could answer trivia questions. I got one right out of I think 5. There was tons of information. So if you’re interested in the stuff you could be here forever reading and learning and listening to music and seeing the costumes and that really tacky car. There truly is a lot for a music lover. As for me well it looked cool and I liked the video in the beginning. But I did manage to walk through the tour fairly quickly. Still I think you should go if for no other reason then to help them stay where they belong as long as possible. They really do a good thing for the community there with the school programs. Very cool On that front!

I knew there was a reason why I always loved soul music. It’s because of this. Stax was able to spotlight so much of the talent we have here in Memphis. Our town is enriched in it, founded on it. This just made my love of Memphis grow even more. Such a wonderful experience. I went home and listened to Otis Redding all day haha! If you haven’t been here, do so. Its incredible.
And what they do for our community? The school they provide for kids that want to influence people with their music the way the legends did? Amazing. All around amazing :))!

Such an AMAZING experience. I knew our beautiful city had so much muscle history… I just didn’t realize HOW much was so much! I learned so much that I will carry with me forever, and my level of respect and admiration for Memphis has grown tremendously. There was so much info and so many things to look at that I want to go back a second time so I can absorb it all. If you have friends/​anyone coming in town that has never been to Memphis, take them here. Even if you have friends from Memphis, take them here! I have been in Memphis my entire life and never knew about/​went here– and I am so glad I did! Two thumbs up!!!

Memphis is a city with lots of culture, history and museums. Stax Museum is a fun walk through the musical history of an important record label which brought many talented African-​American singers to nationwide fame. The opening 20 minute film starts the self-​guided tour off with a bang by showcasing never before seen live performances of artists such as Otis Redding, Carla Thomas, Aretha Franklin, Booker T & MG’s, Eddie Floyd, Sam and Dave, etc. Seeing Isaac Hayes’ Cadillac and Academy Award, and the recording studio interior were highlights. The theme song from «Shaft,» plays in the women’s bathroom and probably the men’s too which is a cool touch. The museum is closed on Mondays. Do make sure to have a souvenir photo taken with choice of background montages and costumes. The staff are very nice and this is a well-​run professional facility.

The. Best. Museum. In. Memphis. Period. Unlike Graceland, I think every Memphian should go to Stax Museum. Stax had so many great artists and most from the area. I have a new found respect of Booker T and the MGs. And live footage of Otis Redding is great. Isaac Hayes’ car is the meaning of Pimp My Ride. Also, there is a section for Al Green. Overall, I’m glad that I went to Stax. I need to go back and get a shirt.

Unser nächstes Ausflugsziel in Memphis war Stax, ein Museum in Memphis über die amerikanische Soul Musik.
Sicher wird sich nun der eine oder andere fragen weshalb wir auf die Idee gekommen sind dieses Museum in Memphis aufzusuchen, einfache Antwort, wir haben diese Reise mit vielen Eintrittskarten für alle möglichen Sehenswürdigkeiten in Memphis gewonnen. Darunter waren halt auch Karten für das Stax Museum.
Dieses Museum befasst sich mit der Geschichte der Soulmusik in und um Memphis. Entstanden ist es aus dem Plattenlabel Stax Records. Bei diesem Label konnten Musiker aus der Umgebung ihre Platten aufnehmen und dort arbeiteten verschiedene Musiker zusammen ohne sich um die Hautfarbe zu kümmern. Dies war in den später 60er Jahren noch nicht so allgemein üblich.
Bis zur Schließung von Staxx Records im Jahr 1975 nahmen dort viele nahmenhafte Künstler Platten auf. Darunter waren unter anderem Aretha Franklin, Al Green, Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes und andere Künstlern. Wer sich für Soulmusik interessiert, den werden diese Namen auch was sagen.
Im Jahr 1998 wurde an alter Stätte ein Komplex gebaut in dem sich nun das Stax Museum befindet und die Stax Music Academy. In der Akademie werden Kinder aus der Umgebung in Musik unterrichtet.
Wenn man das Museum betritt steht man fast schon im Souvenirshop, dort erhält man auch seine Eintrittkarten.
Im Souvenirshop kann man auch viele CDs der Künstler zu einem akzeptablen Preis erwerben. Sicher sind dort auch einige Scheiben, welche man so kaum in Deutschland erhält, also ein Blick lohnt sich.
Den Beginn macht ein ca. 20 minütiger Film über Stax Records in dem diverse Künstler die hier Platten aufnahmen vorgestellt werden, sowie ein kurzer geschichtlicher Abriss über Stax Records und die Zeit in der dort Platten aufgenommen werden.
Der Film ist in Englisch und es gibt auch kein deutsches Audiosystem.
Man kann dem Film aber mit wenigen Englischkentnissen ganz gut folgen.
Nun kann man sich auf einen Rundgang begeben der, je nachdem wie ausführlich man sich die einzelnen Stationen ansieht und anhört, von 1 Stunde bis 3 Stunden dauern kann.
Es werden praktisch alle einigermassen bekannten Künstler vorgestellt welche bei Stax Reciords Platten aufnahmen. Zu den einzelnen Künstlern gibt es Erläuterungen auf Tafeln und man kann sich auch oft bekannte Stücke der Interpreten anhören.
Die Künstler werden in Bild und anhand von Bühnenkleidung vorgestellt. Wobei vieles für die heutige Zeit sehr grell und glitzernd rüberkommt. So gibt es dort auch jede Menge Plateauschuhe zu sehen, die für heutige Augen etwas arg übertrieben aussehen.
Da ich mir Soulmusik aus dieser Zeit ganz gerne anhöre, gab es bei mir viele Momente des wiedererkennens.
Die einzelnen Stationen und Exponate sind liebevoll und sehr detailiert beschrieben und man bekommt einen guten Eindruck über die Vielzahl der Künstler, welche ihre ersten Schritte bei Stax Records machten. Wobei es hauptsächlich farbige Künstler waren, welche hier ihre Platten aufnahmen, da sich Stax Records halt in deren Wohngebiet befand.
Ich selber fand dieses Museum sehr interessant und informativ und habe so einiges über die verschiedenen Künstler erfahren und war überrascht wer alles aus Memphis und Umgebung kommt.
Allerdings sollte man sich schon ein wenig für Soulmusik interessieren, denn sonst ist ein Besuch dieses Museums nicht interessant.
Stax Museum liegt ca. 3 Meilen (4,8 km) von der Beale Street entfernt an der I-​240.
Im Internet gibt es eine gut aufgemachte und ausführliche Website unter
welche auch mit schöner Soulmusik unterlegt ist.
Ich selber kann dieses Museum für Liebhaber der Soulmusik uneingeschränkt empfehlen, wir haben den Besuch nicht bereut und vergnügliche 2 Stunden dort verbracht.