Memphis, Tennessee: Stax Museum of American Soul Music

Remember Stax Records? It was an recording label from the Fifties, Sixties, and Seventies. Stax had a ton of talent come through the door, including Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, the Staple Singers, Ike & Tina Turner, etc. It sold a lot of records.

Sadly, the business end didn't work out so well. Stax made a few business deals that didn't work out, and eventually the business went bankrupt in the Seventies. The home of the place in Memphis soon became an empty lot.

The music, however, lived on. Therefore, someone decided to bring the place back to life in the form of a museum - right on the same spot. There are all sorts of record covers, videos, and audio clips that salute the era. The studio has been recreated as well, almost exactly the way it used to be.

All well and good, you say, but what's the story with the car pictured above.

Yes, the car. That's Isaac Hayes' Cadillac. The detail isn't great because flash photography isn't allowed, but the car is on a slow-spinning carousel. Visitors can get a good look at the solid gold trim and the shag rug that must have been a pain to clean. It's fair to say that when Isaac was on your street, you knew he was coming.

Here's a 2006 report from CBS on the museum:



It's located several blocks south of the National Civil Rights Museum. There's a music academy right next door, and plenty of free parking in the back.

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