In the summer of 1965, just days before the Watts Rebellion began, a roster of rising soul stars from Memphis landed in Los Angeles for a two-night takeover of the city’s storied 5-4 Ballroom. Billed as the Stax Revue, the shows marked the West Coast debut of artists like Rufus & Carla Thomas, Booker T. & The M.G.’s, William Bell, Wilson Pickett, and more—bringing Southern soul to a new coast, and capturing a moment of musical electricity and cultural transformation.
Now, 60 years later, that moment comes to life with Stax Revue: Live in ’65!—a deluxe collection that also includes a rare hometown showcase from Memphis’ Club Paradise, featuring David Porter, Booker T. & The M.G.’s, The Astors, and Wendy Rene. Newly remastered and packed with never-before-released recordings, the set offers a thrilling portrait of a label—and a movement—on the rise.
A BREAKOUT MOMENT FOR STAX
By 1965, Stax had already made waves with artists like Otis Redding, The Mad Lads, and Booker T. & The M.G.’s, but the label’s profile was rising fast. A new distribution deal with Atlantic Records helped push their music further, and a team of in-house writers—Isaac Hayes and David Porter among them—was just beginning to shape what would become the Stax sound.
That summer’s showcase at LA’s 5-4 Ballroom was a turning point. Taking place August 7–8 as part of local station KGFJ’s “Summer Spectacular,” the event featured a stacked lineup: Rufus Thomas, Carla Thomas, William Bell, Wilson Pickett, The Mad Lads, The Mar-Keys, and house band Booker T. & The M.G.’s. While tensions simmered in LA—just days before the Watts uprising—these nights still stand as a powerful, joyful document of a label (and its artists) on the cusp of national breakthrough.
THE SHOWS: A TALE OF TWO CITIES
Stax Revue: Live in ’65! pairs the legendary LA engagement with a newly unearthed hometown recording from Club Paradise in Memphis—likely captured earlier that summer during a radio DJ convention. The contrast between the two venues is palpable. LA’s 5-4 Ballroom, often called the “Apollo of the West,” crackles with a sense of high-stakes excitement; Paradise offers a more relaxed, intimate vibe—just artists and audience in sync.
The result is a compelling double feature that reflects both the ambition and roots of the Stax sound—one shaped by showmanship, spontaneity, and soul. As producer Alec Palao puts it, “The 5-4 Ballroom show still packs the enviable punch of Stax in its prime… and the Club Paradise set reveals further, fascinating perspective upon this timeless tributary of American popular music.”
LISTENING NOTES
A few standout moments from the set:
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“Boot-Leg” (Club Paradise – previously unreleased) - Booker T. & The M.G.’s stretch out and let the groove breathe in this newly unearthed performance—now available to stream as the set’s first single.
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“In the Midnight Hour” (5-4 Ballroom – previously unreleased) - Wilson Pickett delivers raw urgency in a breakout moment, just as the single was storming the charts.
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“The Dog” (5-4 Ballroom – previously unreleased, CD/digital only) - Rufus Thomas brings the house down in a nearly 20-minute jam—loose, wild, and pure showmanship.
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“You Don’t Miss Your Water” (5-4 Ballroom) - William Bell’s stripped-down delivery reminds you why this remains a soul classic.
- Porter’s Set (Club Paradise – previously unreleased) - Get a glimpse of a future soul architect with early tracks including the smoldering “Can’t See You When I Want To”—a highlight of this rare live set.
FORMATS & FEATURES
- Available August 8 on 2-LP, 2-CD, and digital (including HD digital)
- Audio newly remastered by GRAMMY®-nominated engineer Joe Tarantino
- LP lacquers cut by Jeff Powell at Take Out Vinyl
- Includes previously unreleased performances from both concerts
- Liner notes by GRAMMY®-winner Lynell George and GRAMMY®-nominated producer Alec Palao
These recordings aren’t just historic documents—they’re thrilling, sweaty, soul-shouting performances from a moment when Stax was redefining American music in real time. Turn it up. The Revue is back.
