Capitol Theater
926 E. McLemore Avenue,
Memphis,
TN
38126
926 E. McLemore Avenue,
Memphis,
TN
38126
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This theater is best-known as the home of the legendary Stax Records studios after its demise as a theater. Though the original building was demolished in 1989, a new building, Soulsville U.S.A., home of the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, has incorporated a replica of its exterior into its design.
Contributed by
Garrett Murphy
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Recent comments (view all 14 comments)
The photo of the dillapitated Capitol theatre from 1983 has a record store called Satellite records next door. This was the home of Stax records before they became Stax. They started out as Satelite records. Gee Whiz by Carla Thomas was the 4th record and there 1st major hit and was sold to Atlantic. There next big hit was Last Night by the Mar-Keys. They then became Stax in 1961 and the rest was Memphis Soul history.
New photo has been posted of the Capitol Theatre with an early canopy and sign. Picture playing is “One Last Fling” released in 1949. Taken from the photomural inside the entrance to Soulsville USA on the site of the Capitol Theatre/Stax recording studio. The large gray square is a speaker mounted on the wall. 12/15/2012
Have also posted photos of the entire photomural.
Newest photos are of the present exterior and are courtesy of the museum.
Late `60s photo added via Harald Morgalla.
Hey DavidZornig! I could use your help on a project. Would you please drop me a line at mkilg
Not demolished.
The original structure was demolished in 1989, with the current replica museum structure built in 2001 and opening in 2003. Year of demolition confirmed in the museum’s official website and Wiki page below.
https://staxmuseum.com/1976-present/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stax_Museum_of_American_Soul_Music
HBO documentary in the works. Description credit Stax Records.
News Flash! 🚨 HBO Documentary Films is currently in production on STAX, a multiple-part documentary series exploring Stax’s amazing history! Directed by award-winning filmmaker Jamila Wignot (“Ailey”), STAX is executive produced by Academy Award® winners Ezra Edelman and Caroline Waterlow (“OJ: Made In America”) of Laylow Pictures and Emmy® winners Nigel Sinclair and Nicholas Ferrall of White Horse Pictures. The series is presented in association with Concord Originals, Polygram Entertainment and Warner Music Entertainment.
Read more here:
https://staxmuseum.com/hbo-to-air-documentary-series-on-the-history-of-stax-records-the-audacious-group-of-outsiders-who-dared-to-make-their-own-music-on-their-own-terms/?fbclid=IwAR0nprHJcBZeLh-vrN1-iHO5n0l_wp3UD_zmazPZi2rsI95h1hskNW56aB8
Direct link to Stax Records Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/staxrecords
New Yorker article about Stax Records.
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/06/05/the-secret-sound-of-stax?utm_source=pocket-newtab