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What are the top 10 Memphis soul songs? Stax Museum to reveal list at ‘biSoultennial’ – The Commercial Appeal

August 12, 2019

, Memphis Commercial Appeal Published 4:07 p.m. CT Aug. 12, 2019

The Stax Museum of American Soul Music in Soulsville

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Aug. 18, 2009: David Porter, next to a photo of himself and Isaac Hayes at the Stax Museum of American Soul Music.

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May 2, 2013: Justin Hicks, 17, sings "Precious Lord" with fellow students from the Stax Music Academy for guests including Doris Fredrick, (seated, from left) Stax Records co-founder Jim Stewart, Curtis Johnson and Deanie Parker during a ceremony at the Stax Museum of American Soul Music marking the 10th anniversary of the museum's opening.

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The Stax Museum's Hall of Records displays all but a few of the approximately 300 albums and 800 singles that were recorded at Stax Records, including gold albums and records, from its earliest days as Satellite Records until the company closed in 1975.

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January 11, 2013: The Stax Museum of American Soul Music celebrated its 10th anniversary with much fanfare. Music legend Kirk Whalum jams with Stax students, Stephani Brownlee, 17 at right.

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January 11, 2013: The Stax Museum of American Soul Music celebrated its 10th anniversary with much fanfare. Along with music legends on hand, the Peabody Ducks made an entrance at the end of the press conference, under the guidance of Duckmaster Anthony Petrina. Congressman Steve Cohen is at right.

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May 2, 2013: Stax Records co-founder Jim Stewart cuts a ceremonial ribbon with help from students of the Stax Music Academy marking the 10th anniversary of the Stax Museum of American Soul Music.

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May 28, 2014: Lucy Webb (from left) dances with her husband, Chris Webb, and friend Vicky Taylor while the visitors from England tour the Stax Museum of American Soul Music.

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June 22, 2017: A visitor views Isaac Hayes' custom Cadillac Eldorado at the Stax Museum of American Soul Music.

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June 22, 2017: The Stax Museum of American Soul Music in Soulsville

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July 25, 2018: STAX founder Jim Stewart, left, stands with Jeff Kollath, executive director of the STAX Museum of American Soul Music, while showing off Stewart's fiddle during a ceremony where Stewart donated his fiddle to the STAX Museum of American Soul Music.

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August 14, 2018: The Stax Museum of American Soul Music put up a message for Aretha Franklin on its marquee along East McLemore Avenue. Franklin died earlier in the morning in Detroit.

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June 6, 2006: Stax musician Wayne Jackson talks with Jasmine Ingram, 13, as he leads a tour of students through the Stax Museum.

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May 19, 2011: Former Notre Dame coach Digger Phelps (left) shows off his moves while performing with members of the Stax Music Academy during a reception for the Libscomb and Pitts Breakfast Club at the Stax Museum of American Soul Music.

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April 16, 2011: Laquita Mosby (right) and Tamika Bobo sing along to gospel songs performed by the New Friendship Missionary Baptist Church Choir during the "Stax to the Max Soulsville Street Festival." The event, commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Stax Music Academy, featured live music, comedy and performing arts as well as free tours of the Stax Museum.

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Aug. 19, 2011: Veteran Stax Records session musician Lester Snell looks at a new addition to the Stax Museum. The Academy Award statue, which found a new home, was earned by Isaac Hayes for Best Original Song, for the movie Shaft. He was the first African-American to win an Academy Award for music. Snell was in his band at the time.

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Dec. 10, 2007: Davey Weeks, with 1910 Frameworks, adjusts the hanging wire on a frame while hanging the final images of "Otis Redding: From Macon to Memphis" at the Stax Museum.

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June 15, 2009: The neon sign outside the Stax Museum reflects in raindrops after a recent storm.

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Aug. 12, 2008: Visitors to The Stax Museum of American Soul Music file past the marquee paying tribute to Isaac Hayes, the legendary composer and soul singer.

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Samuel L. Jackson, Sharon Leal and Bernie Mac in front of the Stax Museum, from the movie "Soul Men"
Nov. 24, 2002: Tour operators from the UK were given a special tour of the new STAX facility to help promote tourism to Memphis and the STAX Museum.

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Marquee on the exterior of new Stax Museum on McLemore.

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A promotional item designed by Stax Records songwriter Bettye Crutcher, who wrote, among other hits, “Who’s Making Love” for Johnnie Taylor. The mitt is so popular among Stax Museum visitors that replicas are available in the museum gift shop.

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One of the rarest and most prized items in the Stax Museum is this King Super 20 saxophone that belonged to original Bar-Kays member Phalon Jones. It was retrieved from Lake Monona shortly after the plane carrying Otis Redding and Jones’ fellow band mates crashed on Dec. 10, 1967, killing everyone aboard except trumpet player Ben Cauley.

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Kids and adults of all ages dance on the Stax Museum's “Express Yourself Dance Floor,” a round wooden stage wrapped with a screen that shows nonstop, vintage footage from the popular television show “Soul Train.”

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Ardent Studios founder and owner John Fry donated this console to the Stax Museum in 2008.

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Replay

  • The Stax Museum of American Soul Music in Soulsville1 of 26
  • Aug. 18, 2009: David Porter, next to a photo of himself and Isaac Hayes at the Stax Museum of American Soul Music.2 of 26
  • May 2, 2013: Justin Hicks, 17, sings "Precious Lord" with fellow students from the Stax Music Academy for guests including Doris Fredrick, (seated, from left) Stax Records co-founder Jim Stewart, Curtis Johnson and Deanie Parker during a ceremony at the Stax Museum of American Soul Music marking the 10th anniversary of the museum's opening.3 of 26
  • The Stax Museum's Hall of Records displays all but a few of the approximately 300 albums and 800 singles that were recorded at Stax Records, including gold albums and records, from its earliest days as Satellite Records until the company closed in 1975.4 of 26
  • January 11, 2013: The Stax Museum of American Soul Music celebrated its 10th anniversary with much fanfare. Music legend Kirk Whalum jams with Stax students, Stephani Brownlee, 17 at right.5 of 26
  • January 11, 2013: The Stax Museum of American Soul Music celebrated its 10th anniversary with much fanfare. Along with music legends on hand, the Peabody Ducks made an entrance at the end of the press conference, under the guidance of Duckmaster Anthony Petrina. Congressman Steve Cohen is at right.6 of 26
  • May 2, 2013: Stax Records co-founder Jim Stewart cuts a ceremonial ribbon with help from students of the Stax Music Academy marking the 10th anniversary of the Stax Museum of American Soul Music.7 of 26
  • May 28, 2014: Lucy Webb (from left) dances with her husband, Chris Webb, and friend Vicky Taylor while the visitors from England tour the Stax Museum of American Soul Music.8 of 26
  • June 22, 2017: A visitor views Isaac Hayes' custom Cadillac Eldorado at the Stax Museum of American Soul Music.9 of 26
  • June 22, 2017: The Stax Museum of American Soul Music in Soulsville10 of 26
  • July 25, 2018: STAX founder Jim Stewart, left, stands with Jeff Kollath, executive director of the STAX Museum of American Soul Music, while showing off Stewart's fiddle during a ceremony where Stewart donated his fiddle to the STAX Museum of American Soul Music.11 of 26
  • August 14, 2018: The Stax Museum of American Soul Music put up a message for Aretha Franklin on its marquee along East McLemore Avenue. Franklin died earlier in the morning in Detroit.12 of 26
  • June 6, 2006: Stax musician Wayne Jackson talks with Jasmine Ingram, 13, as he leads a tour of students through the Stax Museum.13 of 26
  • May 19, 2011: Former Notre Dame coach Digger Phelps (left) shows off his moves while performing with members of the Stax Music Academy during a reception for the Libscomb and Pitts Breakfast Club at the Stax Museum of American Soul Music.14 of 26
  • April 16, 2011: Laquita Mosby (right) and Tamika Bobo sing along to gospel songs performed by the New Friendship Missionary Baptist Church Choir during the "Stax to the Max Soulsville Street Festival." The event, commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Stax Music Academy, featured live music, comedy and performing arts as well as free tours of the Stax Museum.15 of 26
  • Aug. 19, 2011: Veteran Stax Records session musician Lester Snell looks at a new addition to the Stax Museum. The Academy Award statue, which found a new home, was earned by Isaac Hayes for Best Original Song, for the movie Shaft. He was the first African-American to win an Academy Award for music. Snell was in his band at the time.16 of 26
  • Dec. 10, 2007: Davey Weeks, with 1910 Frameworks, adjusts the hanging wire on a frame while hanging the final images of "Otis Redding: From Macon to Memphis" at the Stax Museum.17 of 26
  • June 15, 2009: The neon sign outside the Stax Museum reflects in raindrops after a recent storm.18 of 26
  • Aug. 12, 2008: Visitors to The Stax Museum of American Soul Music file past the marquee paying tribute to Isaac Hayes, the legendary composer and soul singer.19 of 26
  • Samuel L. Jackson, Sharon Leal and Bernie Mac in front of the Stax Museum, from the movie "Soul Men"20 of 26
  • Nov. 24, 2002: Tour operators from the UK were given a special tour of the new STAX facility to help promote tourism to Memphis and the STAX Museum.21 of 26
  • Marquee on the exterior of new Stax Museum on McLemore.22 of 26
  • A promotional item designed by Stax Records songwriter Bettye Crutcher, who wrote, among other hits, “Who’s Making Love” for Johnnie Taylor. The mitt is so popular among Stax Museum visitors that replicas are available in the museum gift shop.23 of 26
  • One of the rarest and most prized items in the Stax Museum is this King Super 20 saxophone that belonged to original Bar-Kays member Phalon Jones. It was retrieved from Lake Monona shortly after the plane carrying Otis Redding and Jones’ fellow band mates crashed on Dec. 10, 1967, killing everyone aboard except trumpet player Ben Cauley.24 of 26
  • Kids and adults of all ages dance on the Stax Museum's “Express Yourself Dance Floor,” a round wooden stage wrapped with a screen that shows nonstop, vintage footage from the popular television show “Soul Train.”25 of 26
  • Ardent Studios founder and owner John Fry donated this console to the Stax Museum in 2008.26 of 26

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The Stax Museum of American Soul Music will reveal the top 10 Memphis soul songs this week. The poll, dubbed “The biSoultennial,” is tied to the city of Memphis’ 200th anniversary celebration.

In May, the Stax Museum put up a list of 200 classic soul songs on Spotify with fans from around the world voting on their favorites. The top 25 vote-getters have been announced, and the contest will culminate Thursday with an event at the Stax Museum, as this list is narrowed to a final 10 tunes. 

The biSoultennial celebration party will feature DJ Crystal Mercedes spinning Memphis classics, as Stax alumni, Memphis musicians and other special guests help announce the top 10 tracks. As part of the program, there will be an exhibition of images of the top songs done by artist Jamond Bullock. Stax will also sell limited-edition T-shirts and a poster for the event by noted designer Marq Spusta. 

“This top 25 certainly (has) some of the best soul recordings to ever come out of Memphis,” Stax Museum Executive Director Jeff Kollath said. “It is important that this is ‘a’ top 25, not ‘the’ top 25. There are certainly some classics left off, but what we have here is what the majority of soul fans know and love.” 

BLUFF CITY BICENTENNIAL: 200 Memphis music moments

Stax Records star William Bell (left) performs with

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March, 1992 - The Memphis Horns celebrated 25 years

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Rufus Thomas, "World's Oldest Teenager" in an undated
Three members of Booker T. and the MGs (left to right)
Memphis R&B band the Bar-Kays at WattStax.
021512 BYGONE Booker T. Jones in photograph dated

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Rufus Thomas, Albert King and Luther Ingram (from left)

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The Memphis Horns, Andrew Love and Wayne Jackson take
Isaac Hayes, 28, has his head admired in a Memphis

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Isaac Hayes, 28, has his head admired in a Memphis barber shop in 1971. “I shaved off my hair in 1964, because I wanted to see how it would look. It felt good, man. Like my scalp could breathe. Then when the Afro thing came in, I tried to grow it out. I couldn’t. It hurt. I got all kinds of migraines. I got depressed. Now, it’s part of the image,” said Hayes in a March 14, 1971 Mid-South Magazine story. Hayes and another Memphis musician, David Porter, wrote and produced a string of hits including Sam & Dave’s “Soul Man” at Stax. Hayes began recording himself and earned a gold record with his second album, “Hot Buttered Soul”. In 1972, Hayes won an Oscar for best song, “Theme from Shaft.” Charles Nicholas, The Commercial Appeal

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Otis Redding in front of his airplane.
David Porter in photograph dated March 19, 1973. Porter
Carla Thomas and Al Jackson Jr. in an undated photograph.
Booker T. Jones and the MG's (at top from left) Al

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Carla Thomas
Eddie Floyd (left) and Steve Cropper in photograph

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The Royal Spades: Don Nix, Steve Cropper, Charles ‘Packy’
Memphis R&B band the Bar-Kays at WattStax.
Ben Cauley in a photograph dated December 15, 1967.

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Sam and Dave in undated handout photograph. Sam Moore
STAX Records president Jim Stewart presents Zelma Redding,

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April 11, 1972 - With his Oscar in one hand and "Mama

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April 29, 2016 - Former Stax Records artist Mavis Staples,

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The Mad Lads included William Brown (left) along with(clockwise
Stax star Otis Redding. will get the box set treatment
June 22, 2007 - William Bell performs during for the

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Memphis drum legend Al Jackson Jr. will be the subject
Bar-Kays
Albert King in Memphis January 14, 1987. King, a Stax

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September 26, 2013 - Memphis musician Carla Thomas

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September 26, 2013 – Memphis musician Carla Thomas addresses the crowd gathered at Jerry Lee Lewis’ Cafe and Honky Tonk on Beale Street during the announcement of the newest 13 inductees in the Memphis Music Hall of Fame. Other Memphis musicians who made the 2013 class of inductees are Knox Phillips, Sid Selvidge, The Bar-Kays, Johnny Cash, Roland Janes, David Porter, Albert King, Memphis Jug Band, Phineas Newborn, Jr., The Blackwood Brothers, Reverend W. Herbert Brewster and Kay Starr. Mike Brown, The Commercial Appeal

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Jim Stewart, president of Stax Records, in a photograph

Jim Stewart, president of Stax Records, in a photograph dated May 24, 1972. Quoted in in the 1969 Memphis Sesquicentennial supplement to The Commercial Appeal, Stewart spoke of the Memphis sound: “We all give Sam Phillips credit for starting it. There has been a Memphis Sound ever since the Sam Phillips era, when he first started recording Elvis Presley in 1954. It was a wedding of country music and the blues, given a beat or a rock. It was a very primitive thing then, compared with today. But it still has a hard driving beat, with sharply defined drums and a heavy bass guitar.” Stewart and his sister, Estelle Axton, started up their label, which as Stax/Volt would become the longest-running, most successful musical entity in Memphis history. Another litany of stars was created there, from Otis Redding to Sam & Dave to Isaac Hayes, whose Shaft made him the first African-American composer to win the Oscar. The downhome Stax sound became the Memphis Sound, providing the model for the Chips Moman American Studios hit machine as well as Willie Mitchell’s Hi Records reign. Tom Barber/ Press-Scimitar

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The Staple singers as they sing onstage July 1971.
Bar-Kays
Jesse Jackson and Al Bell at Wattstax.
Wendy Rene
Memphis soul singer Wendy Rene
The Bar-Kays at STAX circa 1969.
Deanie Parker (seated with pen), Al Bell and Jim Stewart
The Bar-Kays in a circa 1969 handout photograph. On
Eddie Floyd (left) and William Bell (right), 2007,
Ben Cauley,who was a member of the original Bar-Kays

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Carla Thomas in an Undated publicity photo.
Undated image of Stax songwriter David Porter.
Isaac Hayes, 28, at Stax Record Co. in 1971.

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Undated image of Stax songwriters Isaac Hayes and David
Mavis Staple of The Staple Singers performs at the
May 5, 2007 - Eddie Floyd performs during the Memphis
Memphis Horns Wayne Jackson, left, and Andrew Love

Memphis Horns Wayne Jackson, left, and Andrew Love acknowledge the applause of the crowd at The Pyramid at the end of their 25th anniversary concert Saturday night, March 21, 1992. The concert, a benefit for the Blues Foundation, drew 14,296 to a 4 1/2 hour marathon that honored them. Jackson and Love played on hundreds of sides produced at STAX, a blast of horn power synonymous with the Stax sound. The evening’s lineup included local stars such as Rufus and Carla Thomas. Other performers included Ann Peebles, Johnny Rivers, Boz Scaggs, Tora Tora, the Doobie Brothers, the Robert Cray Band, Lonnie Mack, Toy Caldwell and four-fifths of the Kentucky Head-Hunters. John L. Focht

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22 june 07 (mwstax3) photo by Mark Weber - William

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(left to right) Rufus, Carla, Vaneese & Marvell Thomas

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Rufus Thomas at the WDIA Starlite Revue at the Mid-South

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Johnnie Taylor is shown in a 1968 STAX handout photo.
April 30, 2003 - William Bell performs at the "Soul

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Wilson Pickett is shown in an undated photo.

Replay

  • Stax Records star William Bell (left) performs with1 of 53
  • March, 1992 - The Memphis Horns celebrated 25 years2 of 53
  • Rufus Thomas, "World's Oldest Teenager" in an undated3 of 53
  • Three members of Booker T. and the MGs (left to right)4 of 53
  • Memphis R&B band the Bar-Kays at WattStax.5 of 53
  • 021512 BYGONE Booker T. Jones in photograph dated6 of 53
  • Rufus Thomas, Albert King and Luther Ingram (from left)7 of 53
  • The Memphis Horns, Andrew Love and Wayne Jackson take8 of 53
  • Isaac Hayes, 28, has his head admired in a Memphis9 of 53
  • Otis Redding in front of his airplane.10 of 53
  • David Porter in photograph dated March 19, 1973. Porter11 of 53
  • Carla Thomas and Al Jackson Jr. in an undated photograph.12 of 53
  • Booker T. Jones and the MG's (at top from left) Al13 of 53
  • Carla Thomas14 of 53
  • Eddie Floyd (left) and Steve Cropper in photograph15 of 53
  • The Royal Spades: Don Nix, Steve Cropper, Charles ‘Packy’16 of 53
  • Memphis R&B band the Bar-Kays at WattStax.17 of 53
  • Ben Cauley in a photograph dated December 15, 1967.18 of 53
  • Sam and Dave in undated handout photograph. Sam Moore19 of 53
  • STAX Records president Jim Stewart presents Zelma Redding,20 of 53
  • April 11, 1972 - With his Oscar in one hand and "Mama21 of 53
  • April 29, 2016 - Former Stax Records artist Mavis Staples,22 of 53
  • The Mad Lads included William Brown (left) along with(clockwise23 of 53
  • Stax star Otis Redding. will get the box set treatment24 of 53
  • June 22, 2007 - William Bell performs during for the25 of 53
  • Memphis drum legend Al Jackson Jr. will be the subject26 of 53
  • Bar-Kays27 of 53
  • Albert King in Memphis January 14, 1987. King, a Stax28 of 53
  • September 26, 2013 - Memphis musician Carla Thomas29 of 53
  • Jim Stewart, president of Stax Records, in a photograph30 of 53
  • The Staple singers as they sing onstage July 1971.31 of 53
  • Bar-Kays32 of 53
  • Jesse Jackson and Al Bell at Wattstax.33 of 53
  • Wendy Rene34 of 53
  • Memphis soul singer Wendy Rene35 of 53
  • The Bar-Kays at STAX circa 1969.36 of 53
  • Deanie Parker (seated with pen), Al Bell and Jim Stewart37 of 53
  • The Bar-Kays in a circa 1969 handout photograph. On38 of 53
  • Eddie Floyd (left) and William Bell (right), 2007,39 of 53
  • Ben Cauley,who was a member of the original Bar-Kays40 of 53
  • Carla Thomas in an Undated publicity photo.41 of 53
  • Undated image of Stax songwriter David Porter.42 of 53
  • Isaac Hayes, 28, at Stax Record Co. in 1971.43 of 53
  • Undated image of Stax songwriters Isaac Hayes and David44 of 53
  • Mavis Staple of The Staple Singers performs at the45 of 53
  • May 5, 2007 - Eddie Floyd performs during the Memphis46 of 53
  • Memphis Horns Wayne Jackson, left, and Andrew Love47 of 53
  • 22 june 07 (mwstax3) photo by Mark Weber - William48 of 53
  • (left to right) Rufus, Carla, Vaneese & Marvell Thomas49 of 53
  • Rufus Thomas at the WDIA Starlite Revue at the Mid-South50 of 53
  • Johnnie Taylor is shown in a 1968 STAX handout photo.51 of 53
  • April 30, 2003 - William Bell performs at the "Soul52 of 53
  • Wilson Pickett is shown in an undated photo.53 of 53

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Although the list was dominated by iconic artists from Stax and Hi Records — including Isaac Hayes, Otis Redding and Al Green — other soul greats were also recognized.

“I was heartened to see, though, that Bobby Womack, Ann Peebles and King Curtis made the list, whose work unfortunately flies beneath the radar,” Kollath said. “The party on the 15th will highlight the top 10, but we will also showcase a handful of additional songs that we think deserve special recognition.”

Kollath notes that in addition to the artists themselves, the list and event will recognize the “contributions of the songwriters, producers, engineers, studio musicians, marketers and field agents that got these records made and played.”

biSoultennial Celebration Party

When: 7 p.m. Thursday

Where: Stax Museum of American Soul Music, 926 E. McLemore 

Admission: Free 

More information: staxmuseum.com

Top 25 biSoultennial Songs 

“(Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay”: Otis Redding

“All I Want For Christmas Is You”: Carla Thomas

“Born Under a Bad Sign”: Albert King

“California Dreamin’”: Bobby Womack

“Do the Funky Chicken”: Rufus Thomas

“Do Your Thing”: Isaac Hayes

“Green Onions”: Booker T. & the MGs

“Here I Am (Come and Take Me)”: Al Green

“Hold On, I’m Comin’”: Sam & Dave

“I Can’t Get Next to You”: Al Green

“I Can’t Stand the Rain”: Ann Peebles

“I Heard It Through the Grapevine”: King Curtis

“In the Midnight Hour”: Wilson Pickett

“I’ve Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now)”: Otis Redding

“Knock on Wood”: Eddie Floyd

“Let’s Stay Together”: Al Green

“Love and Happiness”: Al Green

“Never Can Say Goodbye”: Isaac Hayes

“Respect”: Otis Redding

“Son of a Preacher Man”: Dusty Springfield

“Soul Man”: Sam & Dave

“Theme from ‘Shaft’”: Isaac Hayes

“Try a Little Tenderness”: Otis Redding

“Walk on By”: Isaac Hayes

“Who’s Making Love”: Johnnie Taylor

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