The summer of 1972 was a decisive time for Raymond Shields. He’d just graduated from high school and was about to leave Los Angeles behind to study at Northwestern University. It was a summer of house ...

Although the fight for racial equality is ongoing, Stax co-owner Al Bell says so is the hope for a better future envisioned by Wattstax a... Wattstax drew 100,000 people — this 1972 concert was about ...

"Wattstax" is a documentary account of a seven-hour concert performed by the brightest stars of Stax Records. It was a hit when it first came out, and since then it has been a favorite on the festival ...

The producers of Wattstax had a problem when it came to the industry's rating system. Intended for family audiences, their movie followed along as multiple Stax Records-affiliated R&B and soul legends ...

Concurrent with the re-release of the 1973 concert documentary, Stax and Craft Recordings unveil a series of new releases stemming from the 1972 benefit concert. By Gail Mitchell Paying tribute to ...

In 1973, Mel Stuart -- hitherto best known for directing "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" -- released an extraordinary film that has percolated under the public radar ever since. "Wattstax," a ...

Not all of us can be engaged in a second perhaps-annual Summer Of '80s Movies. Some of us have to make do with the offerings at our own local theatres. As it turns out, that can be plenty. Thanks to a ...

We'd love to call California the home state of the epic concert film. But of course New York might challenge us on that front, seeing as how the village that's most associated with the concert film ...

This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today. On August 20, 1972, Stax Records ...

On August 20, 1972, Stax Records brought its biggest stars to Los Angeles for a marathon concert. "Wattstax" is now being commemorated with a new box set and the theatrical re-release of a 1973 ...