Stax Information founder Jim Stewart has died aged 92
Jim Stewart, the founding father of iconic Memphis label Stax Information, has died on the age of 92.
The corporate, initially often called Satellite tv for pc, was based in 1952 by Stewart and co-owned along with his sister, Estelle Axton. Its present identify – a mixture of the primary two letters of the siblings’ surnames – was launched in 1961.
Stax Information is “synonymous with Southern soul music” and launched the careers of artists together with Otis Redding, Rufus and Carla Thomas, Sam and Dave, Booker T. & the MGs and extra, per its official website.
An announcement issued on the official Stax Information Twitter account yesterday (December 5) mentioned that Stewart “handed away peacefully” whereas “surrounded by his household”. The corporate mentioned that it was “deeply saddened” by the information.
“Whereas his impression on soul music is immeasurable, the ‘Memphis Sound’ he fostered all through the Sixties and 70s as a savvy document govt and visionary producer can nonetheless be heard and felt within the music of as we speak,” the Stax assertion continued.
“With Stewart’s steering, Stax launched the careers of legendary artists like Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, Carla Thomas, Sam & Dave, The Staple Singers, and plenty of others. Our hearts are along with his household and mates.”
Michele Smith, vice chairman of property and legacy model administration at Craft Recordings and Stax Information, mentioned (by way of Billboard): “Right this moment we misplaced an vital piece of American music historical past.”
Smith added that Stewart’s legacy “will stay on by means of the Stax Information label that he based, and the artists, musicians, and followers worldwide that love Stax music”.
“I’m unsure if he ever realised the immense impression that he had on soul music throughout the globe, and he can be sorely missed. Our condolences exit to his family and friends, particularly his youngsters and grandchildren,” she continued.
Jim Stewart was born in Middletown, Tennessee in 1930 and later relocated to Memphis. He served within the armed forces for 2 years earlier than embarking on a profession within the music business.
His household have requested that donations be made to the Stax Music Academy, which goals to “encourage younger folks and enhances their tutorial, cognitive, efficiency, and management expertise”.
As The Guardian notes, Stax Information was primarily based in segregation-era Tennessee. The label was a rarity in that it had a mixed-race workforce, and sought to uplift its Black workers as a lot as its white employees members.