Stax Records

One of the greatest R&B labels ever. Out of Memphis the label was home to such renown acts as Otis Redding, Booker T. & The M.G.'s, Sam and Dave, Rufus Thomas, The Staples Singers, Isaac Hayes, Carla Thomas, Eddie Floyd and William Bell. Unlike the polished pop soul of Motown, Stax laid it on thick with depth and grit backed by the blazing house band of Booker T. & The M.G.'s. Though the label featured some of R&B's greatest voices they went under in 1976.